Roy Hodgson says Manchester United players do not have a ‘God-given right’ to a place in his England squad.

The Three Lions boss has warned the likes of Michael Carrick, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley that poor club form will affect their national-team prospects.

In the case of Welbeck and Carrick – both regulars during World Cup qualifying - their chances of starting in Brazil appear slim following disappointing seasons with United.

And Hodgson was clear when he insisted his thinking would be swayed by performances at club level, referencing the players at Old Trafford in particular.

‘Manchester United are one of the few teams that have had a lot of English players,’ he told The Independent. ‘But football players have to accept unfortunately their England careers are tied up with their club careers.

‘If it’s not going well in their clubs, and it’s not going well for them in their clubs, and other players are doing extremely well in their clubs, it does put your position as a national team player under some sort of threat.