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."

Manchester United injuries and suspensions Show all 5 1 /5 Manchester United injuries and suspensions Manchester United injuries and suspensions David de Gea (goalkeeper) Ruled out because of ongoing transfer speculation with Real Madrid. Sergio Romero is expected to continue in goal Getty Manchester United injuries and suspensions Victor Valdes (goalkeeper) Not being selected due to allegedly refusing to play for the Under-21s last season GETTY IMAGES Manchester United injuries and suspensions Adnan Januzaj (forward) The youngster picked up a knock in the Champions League play-off win and will miss the match against Swansea Manchester United injuries and suspensions Phil Jones (defender) Has mild thrombosis on his leg and is not expected back for a few more weeks Getty Manchester United injuries and suspensions Marcos Rojo (defender) Yet to make an appearance this term following his exploits in the Copa America. The defender is getting up to fitness and could potentially feature against Swansea GETTY IMAGES