Paul Merson reckons TWO Man United stars shouldn't go to the World Cup

Paul Merson believes TWO Manchester United stars SHOULDN'T go to the World Cup.

Man United have a host of internationals who appear set to travel to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup later this year.

The Red Devils boast England internationals, including Harry Maguire who hasn't featured in the Premier League since their crushing defeat to Brentford.

And Merson reckons Gareth Southgate is in a 'real predicament' over his England squad for the World Cup.

"Gareth Southgate is in a real predicament, isn’t he? He’s got big players, ones he trusts, who can’t get into his team," he said.

"It’s alright at the moment and he can get away with it today because there’s another two months to go until the World Cup. But come November, if Harry Maguire is only playing Europa League football, how do you play him in Qatar?

"That’s the problem with Gareth, he’s very loyal. The reason why he’s picked Maguire along with Luke Shaw in this England squad is because they actually need to play some games - and they’ll play against Italy and Germany."

Merson continued by claiming that Luke Shaw shouldn't go to the World Cup, citing his lack of game-time at Man United.

"I don’t see Shaw making it to the World Cup, though. He needs to be playing football constantly, every week, and that’s not happening," he added.

"I don’t see how he gets in for Qatar, especially looking at the number of full-backs we’ve got. That’s a position that we are blessed with.

"Why do you need him? You’ve got Kyle Walker, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier. You’re taking five full-backs without Shaw!"

Image: Alamy

Merson, though, likes Rashford's chances of making Southgate's World Cup squad, but isn't convinced about Jadon Sancho.

He said: "I think Marcus Rashford should feel hard done by. If he wasn’t injured, I think he would have got into this squad and I think he’ll get into the final 26-man World Cup squad if he keeps doing what he’s doing.

"It does depend on what Ivan Toney does in the two Nations League games this month. I think the Brentford man has a chance otherwise there’s no point of him being there in the September squad.

"I don’t think anyone else will get into the England fold between now and the World Cup. There’s not too many English footballers playing well at the moment. Roy Keane hit it on the head when he said: if you’re not playing for your country, you’re not very good."

Image: Alamy

On Sancho, the 54-year-old added: "I can’t think of anyone who’s not playing for England right now who is good, there’s not a lot players left out there.

"People talk to me about Jadon Sancho, but he’s scored two Premier League goals and got no assists. He’s not ripping it up, and while he scored a good goal against Liverpool he’s in a queue of a lot of players in that position."

The Three Lions take on Italy and Germany in Nations League matches during the international break.

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Paul Merson, Luke Shaw, Jadon Sancho

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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