With safety secured following a superb victory at Aston Villa, Wigan close the season at home to league leaders Manchester United on Sunday.

The fact that that the game is against a club Bruce graced as a player only adds spice to the occasion.

United will almost certainly retain their Premier League crown if they triumph even if Chelsea beat Bolton, given their superior goal difference.

But Whelan insists it will not be a walk in the park given the job Bruce has done turning the club around after they were relegation favourites earlier in the season.

"Steve is a very honest man," Whelan said. "He speaks his mind and says what he has to say to the players.

"He knows the game and gets respect from them, which is the most important thing.

"Certainly the dressing room has been buzzing all week as the players are determined to unsettle United."

While Whelan does not agree with Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan that the Premier League is "boring", he is pressing for the rules to be altered.

He wants all clubs big and small to get the same cash from TV and prize money worth a total of £750million a year.

"I understand what Kevin is getting at," said Whelan. "We know next year one of the top four is going to win the title.

"Is that sport? No, you need some excitement in sport and expectations.

"I am constantly fighting with the Premier League to get the money distributed more evenly and we all get the same share.

"If the club in the top four get extra money for going into the Champions League good luck to them, they deserve it.

"But the money in the Premier League should be split equally between the 20 teams."

Bruce could be tempted to field an unchanged team against Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who are chasing a league and Champions League double.

And Whelan has nothing but admiration for the United boss.

He added: "There is no-one better than Sir Alex. He is the maestro of them all.

"Steve has, of course, worked under Sir Alex and the pair of us have nothing but respect for him."