Sir Alex Ferguson's contributions to English football are manifold. Up there with the best of them is his phrase, "Squeaky Bum Time", describing the tense finish to a close title race.

Fergie first uttered that line in March 2003, as his team embarked on an eight-game unbeaten run to pinch the title from Arsenal. A classic piece of mind-gamesmanship, he was heaping the pressure on his rival manager Arsene Wenger and the faltering Gunners.

Job done, it became the byword for the business-end of the Premier League. It's fair to say there have been times during the past two months when the squeak from Sir Alex's own backside has been audible.

As Chelsea have closed in, he must have been wishing for anything close to the form of that 2003 title run-in. United are famous for their unfaltering late-season surges but they have stumbled, rather than steamed, towards the finishing line this time.

They'll be hoping for a less-than-squeaky final day at Wigan, where their manager Steve Bruce knows all about winning Premier League titles with Man United.

As captain and swashbuckling centre-back, Bruce lifted the trophy in its inaugural 1992-93 season and repeated the act in 1993-94 and 1995-96.

Bruce has received two calls from Fergie this season. One was after their stalemate with Arsenal, the other followed the recent draw at Chelsea that looked to have secured United their 10th title.

Should United have their nose put out of joint at the JJB, those phone calls may be replaced by evil glares.