Marouane Fellaini: Available for Belgium on Friday

The United midfielder missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Sunderland after suffering the wrist problem in training and it had been feared he would be ruled out of action for three weeks.

United boss David Moyes said over the weekend: "He's got a wrist injury. He's going to see a specialist. It doesn't sound too good but we'll wait and find out on Monday."

Although the medical diagnosis is that he will need surgery in the "near future", it is a welcome boost in the short term for his international club and United.

Belgium have impressed so far in their quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, having won seven and drawn one of their opening eight games and are top of group A.

It was not all good news for the Belgians, though, after suffering an injury blow with Manchester City centre-half Vincent Kompany declared unfit with a thigh problem.