At United, they are wary of making long-term predictions but they see a tall, athletic and pacy defender of significant potential. That Blackett is a left-footed centre-half - confident in possession - only adds to the appeal. It is why England scouts will be monitoring his progress closely in the lead-up to Euro 2016.
Blackett is undoubtedly improving and some of the snap judgements that have followed his performance at Leicester betray the work ethic and qualities that have so impressed the coaching staff at United in the past six months.
His dedication and professionalism have been impeccable. On Tuesday, United players were granted a day off but still Blackett came in, determined to push himself, picking over his performances and organising an extra session in the gym.
Blackett does not miss a chance to place himself ahead of his defensive rivals. Last week, the squad went out in Manchester city centre for an organised bonding meal, aimed at uniting the raft of new signings that have arrived this summer. The following day had been scheduled as a free but there Blackett was once more, using everything that Manchester United's hi-tech training ground can offer to further his game.
It is not only his attitude that has struck Van Gaal and his close-knit team of advisors. For a defender, the goals against column is the ultimate measure of success, but coaches have been lifted by Blackett's distribution. At home to QPR, 97.9 per cent of Blackett's 97 passes were successful, a better record than any other United player on the day.
We cannot airbrush the Leicester debacle from the scrapbook, but the one-match suspension against West Ham this weekend and the chance to come up for some air will do Blackett some good.
There has been enormous pressure on the broad shoulders of the 20-year-old defender, who had not played a minute of competitive football for Manchester United before this campaign.
He has now played 443 minutes and is only the defender to have started every game under Van Gaal. At the end of this season, Blackett's contract will expire. United, you would assume, will be looking to tie him down sooner rather than later, especially as uncertainty lingers over the club's desire to stay faithful to their roots and hand opportunities to local talent.
On Sunday evening, when the 20-year-old lay down on his pillow with a whirlwind of thoughts swirling around his young mind, he will have been reassured by the presence of his loved ones.