Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has played down suggestions of a rift with Manchester United amid fitness concerns surrounding two of their players.
Marouane Fellaini suffered ligament damage in Belgium’s victory over Bosnia on Saturday which will keep him out of action for a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku is expected to be used in tonight’s dead-rubber with Cyprus despite concerns over an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for the match with Bosnia.
The decision to use Manchester United’s top scorer despite Belgium having already qualified for the World Cup is understood to be of concern to Jose Mourinho.
However, Martinez says his relationship with the Red Devils is good.
‘It was a very unfortunate injury for Marouane Fellaini,’ Martinez said ahead of tonight’s game in Brussels.
‘I don’t think the state of the pitch played any part and it was just a collision between two strong players who wanted to win the ball, and unfortunately Marouane ended up with damage in his ligament.
‘But there was nothing wrong in that respect so the relationship is very, very good with Manchester United as you would expect.’
Addressing talk Mourinho is concerned about Lukaku, Martinez denied suggestions the Manchester United manager had been directly in touch.
‘Romelu Lukaku is fit,’ said the Belgium boss. ‘We are in touch with Man United’s medical team. I haven’t received a phone call from Jose Mourinho as yet.’
Manchester United are preparing for a showdown with rivals Liverpool on Saturday.
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