Lots can change in a year, last year was a poor example though cos a lot was down to Suarez (note I'm not saying all of it, but he was a massive part) and United will probably never finish that low again. I'm just saying I'm struggling to make a case for you to finish above 2 of City, United, Chelsea & Arsenal in the next 5years, let alone all of them in a single season? I honestly don't see it happening, paticuarly with the size of the financial gap between you n the top 4 now. As Gerrez post above states, that's quite a big difference in terms of the players who can make the difference. You're also struggling now where teams like Arsenal/City are seen as a step up from you, so players will see you as a stepping stone similar to Spurs.
If I said that Saints weren't 'that far away' from a top 4 finish, I'd be laughed out of the building, and rightly so.