Wigan manager Steve Bruce wants former teammate Mark Hughes to stay true to himself despite the madness at Eastlands.

Bruce insists he is not jealous of his old Manchester United friend, who took charge at Eastlands in the summer.

The arrival of new owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, changed the landscape of the club - and Hughes was given millions to play with.

Bruce said: "I don't envy them at all. Mark must have thought at the time it was exciting - but only he can answer whether he is being able to manage as he wants.

"Are these players his? Is it the team he wants to pick? If they are not, then you are not true to yourself.

"Only Mark can answer whether he has been given carte blanche and told 'We trust you implicitly; here's the money; you go and get us the team'.

"That's a bit like Chelsea did with Jose Mourinho. But you need time, no matter if it is billions or whatever."

Hughes managed to bring in Robinho for a record £32.5million before the window closed in August, as well as former favourite Shaun Wright-Phillips after a lean spell at Chelsea.

But Bruce added: "A month is not going to buy you a whole team, and not one that can compete with the top clubs.

"While you might have all the money, you always need a few indians to go with the chief.

"I am sure, given time, Mark is an astute man - and he will get it right."

Bruce is looking for his side to bounce back - from their defeat by Manchester United - when they face a City team, whose poor form is in startling contrast to their vast wealth.

A goal from Wayne Rooney inside the first minute gave Wigan a mountain to climb at Old Trafford in midweek, but Bruce was delighted with the way they responded.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a point of congratulating his former defender, and Bruce said: "It is great he pats you on the back after they beat you 1-0. But we were terrific in the second half.

"The Premier League is unforgiving, and any team can beat you. The beauty of the Premier League is little Wigan going to Old Trafford without a hope in hell but giving them a game.

"It was an unbelievable effort, and I hope we have something left - because there were a lot of tired bodies after the game, and I want us to have a good crack at City.

"They have not had the best of runs, but we know they can hurt teams. It is important we defend properly."