“Not always a good thing” – Shearer reveals factor that will impede Man Utd as he makes Leeds prediction | OneFootball

Alan Shearer feels Manchester United’s inactivity could return to haunt them when they resume action against Leeds United.

The Red Devils’ most recent appearance was on March 20, when they settled for a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.

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Afterwards, club football was interrupted by the last international break of the season. The English football calendar resumed last Saturday with the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but Man Utd had long exited the tournament, so they had to sit out another weekend.

Man Utd will end their idle period by hosting Leeds on Monday

After 24 long days, United will finally return to the field on Monday, when they host Leeds United in a Premier League contest at Old Trafford.

The club’s supporters have been eagerly anticipating the contest, especially with the club enjoying a positive run since Michael Carrick’s appointment in mid-January.

On the other hand, Leeds currently lie in 15th place, with only four points separating them from the relegation zone.

Based on the two clubs’ current form, Shearer believes MUFC should have the upper hand over their old rivals.

“This is a big game and a big rivalry. Michael Carrick is doing a brilliant job, and I’m pleased for him,” said the Blackburn and Newcastle legend in his weekly prediction column for Metro.

“If it were away,  then it might be different, but because it’s at Old Trafford, then I think Man United will have enough to win.”

Alan Shearer believes inactivity could hurt Man Utd

While Shearer feels Man Utd are the favourites to get the three points in front of their home supporters on Monday evening, he believes the extended rest period could hurt their chances.

The Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer argues a 24-day break might cause some pitch rust.

“It’s not always a good thing not playing for a long period of time because you can come into it a bit rusty and depending on what they’ve had off and where they’ve been and all of those things.

“But in the main, I think they’ve had such a relatively easy season anyway because of no European football. So, it should work in their favour.”

As Shearer rightly pointed out, United have somewhat got used to these hiatus periods, as they’re currently enduring their least busy campaign in over 100 years, with only 40 matches on the schedule.

Moreover, the team made the most out of this break by embarking on a training camp in Dublin, where the players also got the opportunity to further bond with one another and mingle with their adoring Irish supporters.

Therefore, the morale at Old Trafford should be high on Monday, and there is little reason to believe that Carrick’s men will bottle the opportunity to consolidate their place in the Top 3.