Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has suggested that he is still struggling to understand why Gareth Southgate left Jadon Sancho out of his latest England squad.
The Reds winger has made an impressive start to the new season under Erik ten Hag, rediscovering the form that convinced United to sign the England international last year. Sancho has registered three goals in eight appearances so far this term, but was left out of the latest Three Lions squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Germany.
Sancho, who featured frequently during the early part of Southgate’s reign as manager, has made 23 appearances for his country, recording 10 goal contributions. The 22-year-old has not played for the Three Lions since registering two assists in a 5-0 win over Andorra in a World Cup qualifier last October.
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United legend Ferdinand previously claimed that Sancho should have been named in the England squad for the upcoming internationals. The BT Sport pundit has since suggested that Southgate would have a big rebuilding job on his hands were he to have a change of heart and pick Sancho again ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking on Vibe with Five, Ferdinand said: "He’s sitting there thinking what more do I have to do? He didn’t like him when he was on fire so he must be thinking that’s the problem with Jadon Sancho, there’s going to be a mental block.
"He’s going to have to work hard. If he gets in the squad now, Gareth Southgate’s going to have to do a lot of work mentally rebuilding him.
"Jadon will be thinking I’ve forced him to put me in here anyway but he isn’t going to play me. And when he does play me he doesn’t really want to play me.
"Those are the thoughts that will go through his head. Mentally he’s a hard one to get back if he ever gets back in the squad."
Sancho is likely to feature for United in their first match back after the international break, with Ten Hag's side coming up against rivals Manchester City on October 2.
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