Ask match-going Manchester United supporters of a certain vintage what was their favourite season following the club and many will point to the 1974-75 campaign.

After all, the term before had been a miserable one for the Red Devils, who under Tommy Docherty's watch, were relegated to the Second Division having won only 10 of their 42 matches.

However, it was as if the demotion had given Docherty and his players a new lease of life as they secured their immediate return to the First Division in style, winning 26 times and losing on just seven occasions.

One of those victories was sealed during the trip to Blackpool's Bloomfield Road 41 years ago today when the season was 13 games old. At this point only Norwich City had been able to get the better of United, who topped the table by a three-point margin from Sunderland courtesy of their nine wins.

As for the hosting Seasiders, they had started slowly with just one victory in their opening five fixtures, but three triumphs after that run had elevated Harry Potts's side up to ninth position.

Nevertheless, it was the visitors that were expected to dominate the contest and they did just that, breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute.

Veteran centre-back Glyn James brought down United's Lou Macari on the edge of the Blackpool penalty area and Alex Forsyth made the most of the set-piece situation when he slammed a powerful shot beyond the reach of George Wood in the home goal.

The away team continued to apply the pressure, but it was not until the hour mark that they were able to double their advantage. A swift counter-attack saw Jim McCalliog raid down the wing before he crossed for Macari to sweep the ball in from close range for his fourth goal of the season.

Scottish midfielder McCalliog, who had joined United towards the end of their relegation season from Wolverhampton Wanderers, had been a thorn in the side of the Blackpool defence all afternoon and he went on to get the goal that his performance deserved when he completed the scoring 18 minutes from time.

Eventually, United went on to win the title from Aston Villa in second and Norwich in third spot, while Blackpool - despite the fact that only won two away games all year - were able to finish in seventh.

Blackpool: Wood; Curtis, Harrison, Hatton (Tong), James; Suddaby, Walsh, Ainscow, Davies, Bentley; Evanson

Man United: Stepney; Forsyth, Houston, Greenhoff, Holton; Morgan, Buchan, McIlroy; Macari, McCalliog, Daly (McCreery)