Expect damage limitation from Blackburn as they seek to avoid a fifth straight away defeat in the league. Any hopes of exploiting a depleted United back line have been dented by the loss of Jason Roberts to swine flu while Christopher Samba is still not fully recovered from the illness. Pascal Chimbonda and David Dunn should make a welcome return, but they face a daunting task to prevent the home side reasserting itself after last week's poor performance at Anfield. Allardyce will hope that United plumb similar depths in this match. Alex Derber
Venue Old Trafford
Tickets £27-49 (0161 868 800)
Last season Manchester United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1
Referee P Dowd
This season's matches 8 Y31, R4, 4.38 cards per game
sportingbet odds Man Utd 3-20 Blackburn 12-1 Draw 11-2
Manchester United
Subs from Foster, Kuszczak, J Evans, Rafael, Fabio, Brown, Scholes, Tosic, Macheda, Giggs, Owen, De Laet, Obertan
Doubtful Ferdinand (calf), Giggs (knee), Vidic (calf)
Injured Fletcher (ankle, 8 Nov), Welbeck (knee, 8 Nov), Park (knee, 21 Nov), Hargreaves (knee, Dec)
Suspended Neville (first of three)
Form guide LWDWWW
Disciplinary record Y17 R2
Leading scorer Rooney 6
Blackburn
Subs from Brown, Samba, Salgado, McCarthy, Reid, Hoilett, Doran, Olsson, Van Heerden, Giannakopoulos, Kalinic
Doubtful Chimbonda (calf), Samba (virus)
Injured Grella (thigh, 7 Nov), Roberts (virus, 21 Nov)
Suspended None
Form guide LWLWLW
Disciplinary record Y14 R1
Leading scorer Dunn 4
Match pointers
• Manchester United have taken 16 of a possible 18 points from their last six meetings with Blackburn, conceding only three goals in the process
• Blackburn have let in a goal from 37.3% of shots that they have faced – the worst record in the Premier League
• Referee Phil Dowd has given more red cards against the hosts (five) than any other side
• Manchester United have only lost once at home to Blackburn in the Premier League era – 2-1 in September 2005
• Chris Samba has made the most blocks (five) and had the most shots (17) for Blackburn
