I think RB is saying it shows that because they have a point more than we did, and we made top four.
So there is a chance, but I think those currently in the top five are stronger than last season, so it’s an extremely slim chance. And they’re playing like absolute shit, whereas we were okay, apart from the odd game and individual mistakes.
We made it because, after Spurs Away last season, we were more than Top 4 material. We were probably Top 2 material from then on. If not for the late CL game priorities and drawing to Stoke, WB and losing to Chelsea with one eye elsewhere, we'd have easily been 3rd and maybe even caught up with United. That's how good we were. Our defensive stats after Spurs were also close to elite (we can look them up in other threads mentioned).
Man United have a lot to do to match what we did last season from then on, and they have a lot more competition this time around. I'd say 4th spot is between Spurs and Arsenal unless something drastic happens and by that I mean unless Chelsea slip from 3rd and enter this race from the top. Man United have dropped two many APLT points too early to recover them back, and I don't see it happening. They've slipped in easier fixtures so far (Brighton, Wolves & West Ham), and have struggled even in games they've won (Leicester on the first day, Watford as the game went on and Newcastle), first they have to stop that trend from happening, and then they have claw their way back in harder fixtures as well (which they've failed so far against Spurs and Chelsea).