Sir Alex Ferguson has accused the Bolton players of 'partying' after effectively securing their Premiership survival last week and compared their attitude to that of Wigan, United's opponents this weekend.
If Bolton were to win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, Manchester United would be Premier League champions, no matter what the outcome of their trip to Wigan.
Yet Ferguson has been staggered at talk of a party atmosphere developing at Bolton this week after the Trotters secured Premier League survival by beating Sunderland.
"Nobody is saying anything about Bolton," said Ferguson in his Friday press conference.
"People have questioned Wigan's integrity but when you look at it, the different attitudes are quite interesting.
"The Wigan players are coming out and saying 'we want to beat Manchester United'. That is fine, we are a big club. And then you hear about Bolton players out partying all week. That difference in attitudes amazes me.
"But both teams are safe, relaxed and confident. Yet one can celebrate and the other is all keyed up to play against Manchester United."
However, Ferguson then changed tact to declare that he was nonetheless confident that Bolton would give Chelsea a stern test.
"The only thing that gives me confidence about Bolton is the manager and assistant manager.
"I worked with Archie Knox for many years at Aberdeen and United.
"I wish he was playing because he will not enjoy having his players out celebrating and neither will Gary Megson.
"It is an important game. I am confident in these two guys taking their team to Chelsea."
Nevertheless, Ferguson is looking forward to the final day excitement:
"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."
