Three Manchester United players’ World Cup hopes are in the balance

The latest round of squads for the forthcoming international break have spelled bad news for some of Manchester United’s stars.

As the Red Devils jet off on holidays after the Champions League exit before the international action starts, Marcus Rashford, David de Gea and Jadon Sancho’s World Cup 2022 hopes are in the balance…

Marcus Rashford

Rashford has not played for England since missing one of the crucial penalties in the final of Euro 2020.

His post-season surgery has played a part in that and he was also called up to the most recent squad before pulling out.

But you cannot dispute that on current form, he does not deserve to be in the squad and putting him in would have just increased the scrutiny.

The likes of Emile Smith Rowe seem to have usurped him in the England reckoning since the summer and Jarrod Bowen would also have been more worthy of a call-up had he been fit.

It is not a good time to lose form and confidence with not too many squads to come before the World Cup kicks off. Rashford has a lot to do to make it to Qatar.

David de Gea

De Gea has been United’s best player this season but Luis Enrique has still dropped him from his squad for the forthcoming matches.

Brentford’s David Raya has been included, which makes it plain that Enrique just wants a different profile of goalkeeper; one who is better with his feet.

If de Gea cannot get in on top form, it does not bode well, especially after he was an unused substitute throughout Euro 2020.

There could also be more bad news for de Gea. Enrique has been linked with the United job, although it is unlikely he takes it because of his Spain commitments and the issues that would cause in terms of timing.

If Enrique does ever come to Old Trafford though, it likely spells bad news for de Gea.

Jadon Sancho

Sancho broke de Gea’s reign as United’s player of the month in February, which is an indication of how much his form has improved since a tricky start to the season.

He would have expected to be in this squad, especially in light of Bowen’s injury and Southgate’s snub is a real indicator of where he is right now.

Sancho has a lot of work to do and it has felt for a couple of years that he has not really earned the trust of his international manager.

Sancho is also shining on the left for United, where there is a lot of competition for England, but it is hard to know what more he needs to do to get a call-up.