Man U eye title without Bruce

11/05/2008 15:56

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo or Didier Drogba might by the key players on the pitch but Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce is being touted as the central figure in Sunday’s Premier League showdown.

Bruce lifted the trophy three times as a player with United, most famously after his two late goals completed the comeback win over Sheffield Wednesday that helped end the club’s 26-year title drought in 1993.

Now, having moved to Wigan from Birmingham City mid-season and steered his new club to safety, he faces the task of trying to take at least a point off United to give Chelsea a chance of winning the championship.

Yet, some observers question his motivation.

After Chelsea beat Newcastle United last week to join Manchester United on 84 points, attention immediately swung to Sunday.

United’s 17 superior goal difference means that when they visit Wigan (3 p.m.) they need only match Chelsea’s result at home to Bolton Wanderers to win the league for the 17th time, one short of Liverpool’s record.

Chelsea captain John Terry soon felt the need to say he was certain that Bruce would ensure that Wigan would give their all.

Yet Bruce is about as likely to encourage his players not to try too hard as he would have been to dodge a tackle in his playing days.

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That did not stop journalists asking him about the prospect this week, when he pointed out that there was potentially 2.1 million pounds -- the difference in prize money from finishing 12th or 15th -- riding on the game for his club.

MORE FORTHRIGHT

Wigan owner Dave Whelan was more forthright.

"All this in the Press about us rolling over for Manchester United is complete and absolute rubbish," he said.

The form guide, however, indicates that it does not matter what Bruce or Wigan do. United should win and retain the title.

Bruce never beat his old club in nine attempts as Birmingham manager while United have won all six league and Cup games against Wigan, scoring 20 goals in the process.

In addition, Alex Ferguson should be able to unleash all his big names, including Wayne Rooney, who has missed the last two games with a hip injury.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant, though, believes the race is far from over.

"I have been coming here for 30 years watching English football and one thing I learned is that you never know what is going to happen until the end," said the Israeli. "It’s not like other countries."

Chelsea are certainly arriving with their confidence high after a fantastic run that included victory over United in the league and Liverpool in the Champions League.

Bolton, though, are not absolutely sure of safety and their recent record at Stamford Bridge is quite respectable having drawn twice and won once in their last four visits.

If Chelsea do pull it off for a third title in four seasons it will also send them to Moscow to face United in the Champions League final 10 days later seeking a rare double that might just be enough to keep Grant in his job.

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