Manchester United Looking To Avoid Blackpool Upset

Manchester United will go into the Premier League clash against Blackpool full of confidence and looking for a win.

United romped to a 5-0 win over the weekend against a helpless and poor Birmingham city side. It was clear that United are playing some of their best football and this should be more than enough to help them tackle the potential banana skin that Blackpool will lay down.

Sir Alex Ferguson has more than enough experience to know that his team cannot go into this game taking their foot off of the gas. Blackpool have put in some very good performances at home this season and were very unlucky to lose 3-2 to United’s city rivals, Manchester City.

There will be one or two changes to the United side but the basic shape should remain the same. Rafael is available after serving a ban for the red card he received against Spurs. He should replace John O’Shea at right back. Rio Ferdinand faces a late fitness test ahead of the game but Jonny Evans is ready to step in.

There could be a change on one of the flanks as Ryan Giggs is due a rest at some point in the near future. This could force Ferguson in to asking Wayne Rooney to play wide on the left or right while Nani plays down the other flank. This would of course mean an extra striker needed in attack but Javier Hernandez looks ready and willing to play with every chance he gets.

The only other absentees from the United team will be those condemned to long spells in the treatment room. Ferguson confirmed last week that winger Antonio Valencia is progressing well and could feature in a few games towards the end of the season. However, things are looking bleak for Owen Hargreaves who cannot seem to get over persistent knee and hamstring problems.

Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick are likely to start in the middle of the United team as Ferguson will want to mute any attacking influence Blackpool show. This will place greater emphasis on the wide and attacking players to create goalscoring opportunities but it should insure against the possibility of Blackpool causing a huge upset.

Edwin Van Der Saar should be cleared fit to take his place in goal for United and there are no major changes in other places around the team. There are still lingering concerns that Rooney will be mentally affected by his lack of goals this season but his work ethic and enthusiasm has been very high over recent games.