Sir Alex Ferguson believes David De Gea can make Manchester United champions again this season.
United have not won the Premier League since 2013, when Ferguson retired after his final campaign in charge, and have since finished seventh and fourth.
But former manager Ferguson is encouraged by the start Louis van Gaal's side, who currently sit second in the table, have made and by the brilliance of new signing Anthony Martial, who has scored four goals in as many games, and De Gea.
The Scot believes the 19-year-old Martial, who cost £36 million from Monaco, has huge potential, while he bought De Gea from Atletico Madrid in 2011 for £18 million.
The Spanish goalkeeper almost left United at the transfer window deadline, but instead signed a new contract and Van Gaal's team have won both league games he has started.
"We are second in the league," said Ferguson in a talk at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, to promote his new book. "The boy Martial, he could be anybody he wants. He doesn't panic [when shooting], the ball goes into him three times but he doesn't panic, that's a great asset.
"And I think De Gea can actually win us the league. We are in a good position because, [leaders Manchester] City hadn't lost a game until last week and then United won at Southampton and the whole thing changes round.
"Chelsea have lost a couple of games, Arsenal have lost a game, if you are there around New Year's Day then they will have a good chance."
While manager Van Gaal, who is 64 and has two more years left on his contract, has said he will retire when he leaves United, Ferguson would not be surprised if he wants to extend his contract at Old Trafford.
"Who knows what the future will bring?" he wondered. "You never know what Louis will do. When you get the bug, it's hard to leave."
Ryan Giggs, who won 13 Premier League titles as a player under Ferguson, is now Van Gaal's right-hand man.
And while some think Giggs needs to become a manager elsewhere before he is considered for the top job at Old Trafford, Ferguson disagrees.
"Ryan is getting experience, he is assistant manager," Ferguson said. "People have said it might be better for him to leave but I am not so sure about that. He is getting experience under Van Gaal and did under David Moyes, so I think his learning process is very good."