Manchester United transfer news: Marouane Fellaini advised to leave Old Trafford in January by Belgium's Marc Wilmots

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has urged Marouane Fellaini to leave Manchester United in the mid-season transfer window due to lack of playing time at Old Trafford. He has made only three starts in all competitions for the Red Devils in the 2015/16 season.

The arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Anthony Martial in the summer has forced the former Everton man to settle for more time on the bench. Belgium has already qualified for next summer's European championship and Wilmots is unhappy with the midfielder's limited role at United.

"A player who does not play for his club is annoying for a coach. Fellaini could play to support the attack, as the number six. 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," Wilmots told Le Soir.

Fellaini missed the first three matches of the season due to suspension. Last term, he was impressive, especially in the second half of the 2014/15 campaign. The Belgium international has not been given enough opportunities to shine this season.

Louis van Gaal had earlier admitted that he would use the 27-year-old as a striker. However, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager claims Fellaini has to now compete with the midfielders at Old Trafford for a place in the starting lineup.

"He has to compete as a midfielder because he is more a midfielder than a striker. He has to compete with players in his position and I have to compare and think how we have to play and then I decide. It is always like that," Van Gaal told United's official website.

"It is not a question that he does not play well because I think he was one of my better players on Wednesday [against Middlesbrough]. It is also dependable on the game plan and how I want to put my midfield out."