Ralf Rangnick’s side have only nine games remaining in the campaign, and are currently one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have 12 fixtures left to play.
The Gunners are clearly the favourites to take that fourth position, which secures qualification for next season’s Champions League competition, but Schmeichel is confident that United can still have what it takes to beat Mikel Arteta’s side to it.
“I’m a little bit hopeful that we can do it,” the 1999 Champions League-winning keeper told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think when I look at the quality of the players we have, some of the players, the history they have and what they’ve achieved before, it’s a big, big chink in their pride to be knocked out of Europe now and with only the Premier League to play for now, I’m really, really hoping that that will do something for the players.