Dimitar Berbatov expects Manchester United to complete an unprecedented championship four-timer this term.
The Bulgarian wrapped up a 3-0 win for the Red Devils over Fulham on Sunday following two more goals from Wayne Rooney that took his amazing tally to 32.
It took United two points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal in what is turning into a fascinating title race given Carlo Ancelotti's men have a game in hand, with all three sides boasting very similar goal differences.
Yet Berbatov is confident the ultimate domestic prize will end up at Old Trafford, just as it did in his first season following a club record £30.75million move from Tottenham.
"There can only be one winner and I think it is going to be us," said Berbatov.
"Arsenal and Chelsea are great teams and we have difficult games ahead of us but the good thing is we play at home at Old Trafford against Chelsea and that will be an advantage for us.
"I am optimistic that in the end we will be champions."
Although his manager doubtless hopes Berbatov is correct, Sir Alex Ferguson has been involved in enough of these scraps to know this one looks among the most intriguing, with Arsenal looking to have the easier run-in, even though United and Chelsea both know if they win all their games, including the crunch meeting between the pair at Old Trafford on April 3, they cannot be caught.
"At the moment it is looking like the tightest Premier League we have had," said the United chief.
"It is very tight. We only have eight games left. Chelsea have nine. We are all involved in Europe. Chelsea also have the FA Cup.
"I suppose the simple way for us and Chelsea to look at it is just to win all our games. But life is never that simple."
United will feel they have a good chance as long as Rooney stays fit.
It took him just 29 seconds of the second-half to break the deadlock and it was Rooney's goal seven minutes from time that settled home nerves after the Red Devils had spurned a succession of chances.
The 24-year-old is now just 10 goals adrift of the mammoth number Cristiano Ronaldo scored two seasons ago, although Rooney would prefer to avoid the comparison.
"If I am being honest, getting to 42 goals wouldn't mean a lot to me," he said. "It is not something I have looked at.
"Obviously it is nice to score goals. I want to score goals in every game and what Cristiano Ronaldo achieved was unbelievable.
"But I am a different player and a different person. I am not comparing myself to Cristiano."
Your Comments
Mutid
"He should lay off the heroin, it's making him all yeah-man-light-and-fluffy-rose-tinted-glasses and he'd probably gain a yard or two pace and get some colour in his cheeks. See the needle and the damage done..."
doncobaino
"optimism, nothing wrong with that, although i dont share superbatovs views at the minute, very very very hard run in."
mgaffney
"Its gonna be a tough one this year. Arsenal pulled out a great 3 points in the end although it was very harsh on the 10 men of Hull who had defended brilliantly all game, only for the keeper to let them down he hadn't even had that much to do but what was he doing palming it straight out to bendtner & how he didn't save the 2nd shot as well it went through his hand. Rooney is just unstoppable at the moment, hopefully he can keep it going til the end of the season. Berba has been playing well the last while & he deserved that goal yesterday & how he controlled that ball & his run to set Rooney's goal up was brilliant. Nani put in some dangerous crosses as well yesterday. At the back we looked solid most of time apart from a couple of little mistakes Vidic/Ferdinand are starting to get the partnership working again with them not being able to play nearly all season together its good to have them back because that had been our main problem conceding goals. Park when he came on was good again he has had a brilliant season this year & his cross for Berba's goal was top drawer. Valencia didn't have the best of games yesterday but he has been a great buy, & people at the start of the season had cast him as an expensive flop before he even kicked a ball. "
AshNaz87
"Despite being a critic of Rooney, I am now starting to appreciate his ability and I wish him well with his goal tally."
All comments on this story