"I'd be shocked" - Paul Merson claims Man United star won't be going to the World Cup

Paul Merson claimed he would be “shocked” if Jadon Sancho made it into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup.

The England manager ended preparation for this month's World Cup with a defeat to European champions Italy in Milan and a battling draw against Germany at Wembley.

Despite a recent dip in form, the Three Lions will be among the favourites in Qatar, having reached the final of Euro 2020 last summer and the World Cup semi-final in Russia four years ago.

As the Premier League winds down to its winter break and the World Cup fast approaches, Southgate will be deliberating on who makes his final 26-man squad.

All 32 World Cup teams must name their squad by Sunday 13 November, however, the Three Lions boss is expected to announce England's on Thursday, 10 November.

One man who will be sweating on his England place is Manchester United wide-man Sancho.

There has been debate across swathes of media regarding whether the Red Devils winger should be included. Indeed former Arsenal midfielder Merson seems to be strongly against Sancho's inclusion.

He wrote in Sportskeeda: “I don't think Jadon Sancho will go to the World Cup, however, and I'd be quite shocked if they picked him ahead of the likes of [James] Maddison, [Jack] Grealish, [Bukayo] Saka, and [Raheem] Sterling.

“You can't afford to have too many wingers in your squad.”

The 22-year-old developed a reputation as one of the world’s most exciting and productive wingers at Borussia Dortmund but has struggled for form since making a switch to Man Utd last year.

Despite signs of improvement and a regular starting berth under new Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, Sancho was omitted from Southgate’s squad again in September.

Indeed, though the winger has already racked up 23 appearances for his country and recorded 10 goal contributions, he has not played for England since registering two assists in a 5-0 win over Andorra last October.