Man United's Van Gaal says Martial's transfer fee 'ridiculous'

Louis van Gaal admits the fee paid by Manchester United for French teenager Anthony Martial was 'ridiculous' but that the purchase was made with the club's next manager in mind.

And the Dutchman hinted his current assistant Ryan Giggs will be the man to benefit from the arrival of the 19-year-old, who cost an initial £36m ($55.4m) in a deal which could eventually rise to around £58m ($89.3m), from Monaco.

Speaking to an audience of executive United season ticket holders at Lancashire County Cricket ground, Van Gaal said: "It was a ridiculous amount of money, but it's the crazy world we are in.

"United are routinely quoted £10m ($15.4m) more for a player but I have not bought Martial for me. I have bought him for the next manager of Manchester United."

And sitting alongside Giggs, who made over 800 appearances for United during a 24-year career, Van Gaal added: "And I feel I am introducing the next manager of Manchester United."

He also admitted he was happy to have the Welshman as his assistant after meeting him for 90 minutes in the Netherlands last year when the former winger gave his assessment of every player in the United squad.