England fans were made to endure a familiar feeling after England's disappointing 0-0 draw with USA in their Qatar 2022 World Cup clash on Friday.
Gareth Southgate's side laboured to the point, which keeps them top of Group B, but were second best for large periods - particularly in the second half at the Al Bayt Stadium.
With his side chasing a goal that would seal their place in the next round, though, Southgate opted against bringing on creative players such as Phil Foden or Trent Alexander-Arnold as Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford were entrusted to add the spark but failed to do so.
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While Southgate will have been hoping for one of his substitutions to make a late impact with a goal or assist, it may actually be the case that he left exactly what his side was sorely lacking at home and out of his squad.
Jadon Sancho's tough season at Manchester United has seen him miss out on a place in the England set-up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this winter.
The youngster, who moved to United in July last year, travelled to Euro 2020 with the Three Lions after a superb season at Borussia Dortmund turned the heads of Europe's elite, with the Red Devils and Gareth Southgate both opting to make him a valuable part of their squads. However, a tough spell at United last season saw him fall out of the national team picture. Having not been called into international duties for well over a year, Sancho is facing a fighting battle to overturn any doubts over his presence on the international stage - with his last game on home soil for Southgate's side resulting in a missed penalty against Italy in the final loss at Wembley.
But with England failing to break the USA down in Group B's 0-0 draw, fans were annoyed with a lack of creativity in the final third as they ceased to cause Gregg Berhalter's side any problems. And with Rio Ferdinand backing Sancho for his solid form in August and September, his comments have offered a potential solution to the lack of guile shown in the Middle East.
"What's clicking [this season] is that he's getting goals," Ferdinand told the Vibe with Five podcast.
"He's getting in these areas [around the penalty area], which I like. You want your wingers to be going in here and getting goals.
"That's an area where I'd have been definitely demanding of him. Also, assists."
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