SIR Alex Ferguson is confident he can rely on the competitive instincts of his old mate Archie Knox to ensure Manchester United's title dream is not undermined by Bolton tomorrow.
United will secure a 10th Premier League crown – and a 17th overall – if they beat Wigan at the JJB Stadium.
United could afford to falter and still finish top if Bolton get a positive result from their last-day jaunt to Chelsea, who wil
l start the final day level on points with Ferguson's team but with an insurmountable in the goal difference column.
While Ferguson maintains he is interested solely in his own team's performance and result, he has been irritated at reports that the Bolton squad have begun their post-season break early, celebrating survival all-but achieved by beating Sunderland last weekend.
Noting Wigan have not lost their focus despite securing top flight status themselves last weekend, Ferguson made his own attempt to wind the Bolton players up.
But he is also convinced Knox, his one-time United assistant having moved south from Aberdeen at the same time, will not have been too impressed at the attitude seeping out of the Reebok Stadium.
And he is confident that by the time Bolton arrive at Stamford Bridge Knox, current number two to manager Gary Megson, will have them ready for battle.
"I worked with Archie Knox for many years at Aberdeen and United and in a way, I wish he was playing," said Ferguson. "He will not enjoy hearing his players have been out celebrating and neither will Gary Megson because this is an important game.
"All week, people have questioned the integrity of Wigan. No-one has even mentioned Bolton. Both teams are safe, relaxed and confident. But one can celebrate and the other is all keyed up to play against Manchester United. That difference in attitude amazes me."
However, even with Wayne Rooney likely to be restricted to a substitute's role at best as he edges his way back from a hip problem, Ferguson accepts United should neither look for, nor require, any assistance from outside sources.
"I said at the start of the season it might go to the wire," said Ferguson.
"I am sorry I said that now but we are in the right position. If we win, we have won the league. That is a great incentive for us."
Ferguson will not be relaying events in west London to his players, although he does accept United's supporters will do that job anyway, whether he wants them to or not.
Instead, he is going to rely on the experience of men who have been in this situation so many times before, such as Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who will equal Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record of 758 should he take the field at some point.
"You cannot dismiss having the experience of doing these things. That is why you last so long," said Ferguson.
"Some players have shared in those experiences and it is important."
The return of Nemanja Vidic will bolster United's defence and Ferguson added of their build-up:
"The mood has been good. We have had an eight-day preparation, which is better than we have had for weeks so any little niggles are all cleared up. I have no fears about their fitness. I have no fears on the confidence side and I have no fears about their form."
And, should United prevail by the narrowest of margins, it will not bother their manager one bit.
"Are you serious?" he countered, when asked if a title win on goal difference would mean as much as the nine previous successes. "To have a good goal difference gives you an edge on everyone. It is a point I have made for quite a few seasons. You win the league because you are the best team. It doesn't matter how."
Avram Grant, named Barclays manager of the month yesterday, insisted yesterday that his side have been playing the best football during the run-in and have what it takes in high-profile matches.
"There is no doubt about this, in the last month we have played very good games," Grant said. "The best football at the right times against big teams and big managers. You need every minute to think what to do against them. Whatever happens on Sunday I will be very proud of what we have done this season.
"Alex said a few months ago it was the best Manchester United side since he's been coaching. We've given a battle.
"If they take the title, and I'm not sure they will, it will be on goal difference."
It has been suggested that Chelsea's players, rather than Grant, are responsible for the title charge, but the Chelsea boss defended himself again.
"The players showed by themselves good character and quality," he said.
"When we had bad moments we had good recovery which is important.
"My job is to make decisions and take responsibility for those decisions."
"I must say the players did a good job. On the other hand there were many, many tough decisions during the season about players. It's my job to take responsibility."
On United's final game, Grant added:
"Wigan haven't lost at home since January. They will do their best."
FINAL CURTAIN, PAGE 20
The full article contains 889 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
