Sir Alex Ferguson will rely on the competitive instincts of old mate Archie Knox to ensure Manchester United's title dream is not undermined by Bolton on Sunday.

United will secure a 10th Premier League crown - and a 17th overall - if they beat Wigan at the JJB Stadium.

The Red Devils could falter and still finish top if Bolton get a positive result from their last-day jaunt to Chelsea, who will 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 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, or require, any assistance from outside sources.

With up to 20,000 supporters expected to make the short trip up the M61, Wigan is likely to find itself engulfed by visiting fans buoyed by recent wins over Barcelona and West Ham, expecting another memorable domestic campaign to end in glory.

"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 an already mean United defence and given Wigan have never taken so much as a point from their neighbours, few expect the home side to present Chelsea with the championship.

"The mood has been good," said Ferguson.

"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."