Gareth Southgate urges Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho to work hard or be left out of England squad for World Cup 2022

Gareth Southgate has told Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho that they have “a lot of work” to do if they want to make England’s World Cup team.

After meeting Hungary on Tuesday, the Three Lions have five months until they travel to Qatar, with only two Nations League matches left in September.

The lone Manchester United player in the England squad this month is Harry Maguire.

While Rashford and Sancho were absent, Luke Shaw has been working on his fitness.

Southgate claimed last month that the pair still have time to earn a spot in his World Cup plans, but has now confessed that it would be a difficult task for them to do so.

When asked if United’s players will be fresher next season without the Champions League to contend with, the England manager replied, “We’ve only got one with us.” They have a lot of work ahead of them if they are to reclaim their spot on the team.

“Well, look, I think the lower the load then of course the less likely for injuries and the hope that players can be that little bit sharper but there’s no way of knowing.

“Some players are at their best when they’re in a rhythm of playing and you talk to some of our lads now and they want to play every game because that’s how they feel they get to their best level.

“Others need the breaks, they need longer recovery between the matches to be at their best.”

Rashford and Sancho were left out of the March internationals and were also left out of the four Nations League fixtures in June.

Rashford has not played for England since missing a penalty in the European Championship final loss to Italy last summer. Recall that he withdrew from England’s squad in November to focus on regaining fitness following shoulder surgery.

Jesse Lingard, a departing United midfielder, and goalie Dean Henderson, a departing United goalkeeper, are among the players who have faded from view after a difficult season at Old Trafford.

Gareth Southgate is hoping that the Premier League considers England’s World Cup preparations when determining the fixtures for next season.

According to reports, the Football Association has made a formal request to the league that no games involving the “big six” take place on the weekend of November 12-13.

England will sail to Qatar on November 15 for their opening match against Iran, followed by matches against the United States and Wales in Group B.

On Thursday, the Premier League will publish the schedule for the 2022-23 season.

“We have asked the Premier League to have a think about things but we also understand that they’ve got a lot of [things to consider],” Southgate added.