Cristiano Ronaldo or Didier Drogba might be 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.

Manchester City's manager Sven Goran Eriksson (L) talks with Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce (R) before their English Premier League soccer match in Wigan, northern England, December 1, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

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 superior goal difference of 17 means that when it visits Wigan (1400 GMT) it needs 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 its 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.

That did not stop journalists asking him about the prospect this week, when he pointed out that there was potentially 2.1 million pounds ($4.11 million) - 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 has 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 is certainly arriving with its confidence high after a fantastic run that included victory over United in the league and Liverpool in the Champions League.

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

If Chelsea does pull it off for a third title in four seasons it will also go 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.

There are two other issues to be decided on Sunday when Everton or Aston Villa will secure fifth place and a UEFA Cup berth, while two from Birmingham, Reading, Fulham and Bolton will join Derby County in being relegated.

(Agencies via China Daily May 9, 2008)