Man United eye title without Bruce's help

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - 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.

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.