In ordinary circumstances Mark Davies' late equaliser for Bolton Wanderers in last weekend's 2-2 draw would have been a bitter blow to take. Such has been Blackpool's acclimatisation to the Premier League after nearly 40 years away that the lost points are unlikely to be critical to their hopes of staying up.
The swagger of Holloway's players has been a welcome relief to the usual 'safety first' football deployed by promoted sides. Indeed, had they held on to a 2-0 lead at the Reebok Stadium they would have found themselves in seventh place in the table.
Unexpectedly, Blackpool have never boasted a strong record against United, with 20 wins notched up to their opponents' 43 in this fixture. For fans of an elderly persuasion, a repeat of the 5-1 League Cup drubbing handed out in 1966-67 would truly seem to be a Tangerine pipe dream.
Back To Winning Ways
United's youngsters were humbled against West Ham but the senior stars will be out to prove they sit at the top of the Premier League on merit.
An unbeaten run that stretched back to Joe Cole's back-heeled winner for Chelsea in April should be maintained at Bloomfield Road. Ferguson's charges have hit their stride at the right time and are on the on-form side in the division with 14 points from the last 18.
United haven't tasted league defeat on the seaside resort since 1963. It would be a major upset if a second loss in a week followed.
TEAM NEWS
Blackpool
Manager Ian Holloway confirmed on Thursday that utility man Chris Basham has broken his leg and could be out until the final weeks of the season.
The summer signing has joined Marlon Harewood, Matt Gilks and Billy Clarke on the sidelines.
In better news, Israel international centre-back Dekel Keinan is expected to return to the match day squad after he overcame an ankle injury. Fellow defender Craig Cathcart is in line to face his former club.
Possible starting XI: Kingson; Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey; Grandin, Adam, Vaughan; Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell, Varney.
Manchester United
Boss Sir Alex Ferguson is set to recall his big guns after the second string's 4-0 mid-week League Cup humiliation to West Ham United. The exit could see the likes of Jonny Evans, Bebe and Tomasz Kuszczak restricted to reserve team football.
Dimitar Berbatov will be firing on all cylinders as he looks to follow up his five-goal haul from last Saturday's 7-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers. Paul Scholes wasn't even a substitute then due to a groin strain but is expected to be back.
Long-term absentees Owen Hargreaves, Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen are still unavailable.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov.
Prediction
United remain unbeaten in the Premier League and with the return of Wayne Rooney et al. this can only continue. Blackpool's expansive play should leave too many holes to be exploited.
Blackpool 1-5 Man Utd. 
