Fellaini suffers back injury

Cape Town - Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini looks set for an extended period out after manager Jose Mourinho revealed he picked up a bad back injury against Hull City.

The Belgium international has split opinion of Red Devils fans since his arrival from Everton in 2013, with some believing he is not good enough to be a regular member of the first team.

However, he has found favour under Mourinho and has been a key figure in the centre of midfield for United this season.

The news of his injury, especially the severity of it, comes as somewhat of a surprise after the 28-year-old played the full 90 minutes against Hull on Saturday.

"I am going to lose Fellaini for a while. He has a muscle injury in his back and it is not good," said Mourinho after the 1-0 win. "I don't like to say that but it is bad."

With the international break on the horizon, the Manchester United revealed Fellaini would still travel with the Belgium squad to allow the national side's medical team to examine him for themselves.

"I think he has to go. They have to look at him but he has to travel," he explained.