Manchester United: Adnan Januzaj left out of Belgium squad due to lack of playing time

Adnan Januzaj's lack of first-team football at Manchester United has cost him his place in the Belgium squad for upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

After a lengthy decision-making process last season, Januzaj declared for the country of his birth and was subsequently rewarded with a place in Belgium's World Cup squad.

The 20-year-old was called up for international fixtures in October and November 2014 but having started just seven league games this season, his national team manager feels he had little choice but to drop the winger.

"I have no doubts about his quality," Wilmots was quoted as saying by Nieuwsblad. "It is just that there is little chance to see him, for him to show that quality. I have a lot of choices and therefore I chose the players who play weekly for their clubs."

Belgium host Cyprus in a qualifying game in 28 March before taking on Israel three days later. Monaco's Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, who tormented Arsenal in their Champions League exchanges, is one of those selected ahead of Januzaj.

The United starlet has had brief spells in manager Louis van Gaal's first team this season but has failed to hold down a spot. The youngster started consecutive games against West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea, Manchester City and Crystal Palace in October and November 2014 but did not start again until the club's FA Cup clash with Cambridge United in January.

Despite his lack of involvement, United rejected an offer from Paris Saint-Germain to take the player on loan in January, with his agent Dirk de Vriese revealing Van Gaal did not want the player to leave the club.

The Parisian giants also made the Belgian an "insane" contract offer before he penned a long-term deal at Old Trafford in October 2013. Janzuaj was an unused substitute in United's 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on 15 March.