Marouane Fellaini to leave Manchester United: Midfielder urged to move clubs in January by Belgium boss Marc Wilmots

Wilmots believes Fellaini needs to play regularly in order to boost his chances of playing at Euro 2016 next summer

Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini (Getty Images)

Marouane Fellaini has been urged to leave Manchester United for the sake of his international career by his Belgium manager Marc Wilmots.

The midfielder is currently sidelined with injury and will miss this weekend’s Premier League clash with Watford, and he missed Belgium’s international friendly with Italy last week before seeing the match with Spain abandoned due to safety fears in Brussels.

Having been signed by former United manager David Moyes in 2013, Fellaini established himself in Louis Van Gaal’s first-team plans last season, but a red card in the final match against Hull meant that the 27-year-old – who turns 28 on Sunday – missed the first three games of the season through suspension.

Fellaini then struggled to break into the side upon his return and made just three starts before suffering the knock that kept him out of the 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, and Wilmots believes that if he wants to boost his chances of being included in Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad, he needs to leave Old Trafford in January.

"A player who does not play for his club is annoying for a coach," Wilmots told Belgian newspaper Le Soir.

"Fellaini could play to support the attack, as the No.6. He has very good technique, very good ability to track back and recover. Maybe he will try to find a new challenge in January, if it is possible."

Van Gaal has stressed his desire to bring in “pace and creativity” ahead of the January transfer window, and should the Dutchman move to sign players and strengthen his squad, Fellaini could be used to generate funds and make space in the squad for new arrivals.