Jose Mourinho has insisted Manchester United can still challenge for the Premier League title, despite going into the weekend fixtures nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

United, currently sixth in the table after winning just five of 12 league games this season, face West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday aiming to claim maximum points at home for the first time in two months.

Mourinho's team face West Ham having impressed during a comprehensive 4-0 Europa League victory over Feyenoord on Thursday.

And with his team beginning to show signs of progress, Mourinho claims his previous experiences of title races offers proof that United can claw back their current deficit.

"When I won the last title 18 years ago -- sorry, 18 months ago -- I had a 10 points advantage and then, in one month, I had the same points as Man City," Mourinho said.

"We lost 10 points in one month. I think it was the end of December or the beginning of January and we'd lost 10 points.

"Then we recovered and won that title 18 years ago -- sorry, 18 months ago. You can recover points. Others can lose points."

Mourinho complained last week, following a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford, that United had become the "unluckiest team in the league" due to a series of controversial decisions going against his players.

Manchester United are far from being out of the title race, according to manager Jose Mourinho. Gareth Copley/Getty Images

But the former Chelsea manager is confident that the pendulum of fortune will swing back in his team's favour.

"During the season, there are moments when everything goes against you and moments where everything goes in your favour," he said. "We know that the game is not over, but the reality is there is a distance.

"And there are many quality teams, but let's go match by match and see what happens.

"We play another difficult game on Sunday, so we see if we can get the three points."

The convincing nature of the Feyenoord victory highlighted United's ability to overrun teams, but on many occasions this season, the team has failed to convert chances to win.

But rather than signal a run of heavy victories, Mourinho wants United to simply focus on winning and closing the gap.

"Thursday it was 4-0," he said. "One day it can happen, but big results are not very usual in the Premier League.

"We lost 4-0 and sometimes somebody loses 5-1 or whatever but it's not very usual.

"There is a great balance between the teams. Every game is very difficult.

"But rather than winning one game 5-0, we need to win four or five matches. That's what we need. Let's try to get points."