Blackpool boss Ian Holloway will have to find a makeshift left-back against United.
Stephen Crainey has been ruled out with an ankle injury sustained in Saturday's home defeat with Sunderland, so with David Carney still on international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup, Alex Baptiste is the likely deputy.
Goalkeeper Richard Kingson has been cleared to play after requiring stitches in a head wound, whilst DJ Campbell has recovered from a bout of food poisoning for United's first top-flight visit in 40 years.
Rafael is available again after suspension as United bid to open up a five-point lead at the top of the table by beating the Seasiders on their own turf.
The Brazilian full-back sat out Saturday's 5-0 win over Birmingham, so now Sir 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.
Blackpool (from): Kingson, Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Adam, Phillips, Vaughan, Varney, Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell, Sylvestre, Grandin, Euell, Southern, Ormerod, Edwards, Baptiste, Rachubka.
Man Utd (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.
