Beligum Boss Confirms Marouane Fellaini Will Make World Cup Squad Despite Dismal Campaign

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has questioned the wisdom behind Manchester United's use of Marouane Fellaini but insists midfielder will have a role to play in this summer's World Cup despite his poor season.

After the club failed with bids for a number of midfielders during a dreadful summer transfer window, Fellaini arrived at Old Trafford for a fee of £27.5m on deadline day from Everton.

But the Belgian has endured a disastrous campaign in Manchester having failed to earn a first team role in United's already fragile midfield and was left out of Ryan Giggs' first match day squad as interim manager last week.

But despite an insipid season, Wilmots has told Fellaini he has no need to worry about his place in the Belgium squad.

"I don't have any doubts about Fellaini. The World Cup will be a good opportunity for him to take revenge," Wilmots was quoted as saying by Voetbal Krant.

"I don't understand why Manchester United bought Fellaini to play in a system with two defensive midfielders. He is a box to box midfielder."

Fellaini could also be joined by United teammate Adnan Janzuaj in Brazil this summer after the 19-year-old was named in Belgium's 27-man preliminary squad ahead of warm up games against Luxemburg and Sweden.

The teenager's inclusion was not welcomed by all, however. Everton forward Kevin Mirallas was critical of Januzaj's inclusion, pointing out that the youngster has not started a game since 16 March.

"Adnan does not know the group, and the fact is, he has not had much game time at Manchester United lately. It's not as if we are short of good players in that area of the team. In fact, there are a lot of good players in his position in the Belgium squad, so it is going to be difficult for him."

But Wilmots has since come to the defence of the United prodigy and warned Mirallas to leave selection decisions to him.

"He (Mirallas) also said that if a striker is needed that Jelle Vossen (of Genk) could be likely. That's not his job. For this, he should be silent," Wilmots was quoted as saying by Voetbal International.

"The rules are: you have to talk about yourself, but not the others. On the selection I decide, Kevin may have his opinion, but he should not talk about others, or how new players like Januzaj can affect the group atmosphere?

"Stop talking nonsense. We have never had a problem when there is a new player. For Januzaj that will not be a problem. He has an exemplary attitude."