Rafael back for United

Rafael is available again after suspension as Manchester United bid to open up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League by beating Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

The Brazilian full-back sat out Saturday’s 5-0 win over Birmingham, so now Alex Ferguson must decide whether to offer him instant recall or stick with John O’Shea, who played a key role in United’s opener at Old Trafford.

Rio Ferdinand (groin) and Michael Carrick (ankle) are both doubts, but Ryan Giggs has already been promised a place for the Red Devils’ first top-flight meeting with the Seasiders since 1971.

Team (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Lindegaard, Rafael, O’Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Nani, Obertan, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Anderson, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney, Hernandez, Owen, Bebe.