Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has stated that Anthony Martial was purchased with his successor in mind.

The 19-year-old striker arrived at Old Trafford earlier this month from AS Monaco, with reports suggesting that the fee could rise to £58.8m.

"It was a ridiculous amount of money, but it's the crazy world we are in," Sky Sports News quotes Van Gaal as saying.

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

Martial, who recently won his first two caps for France, could make his United debut against Liverpool on Saturday.