Wolfsburg vs Manchester United: Anthony Martial will come good again, says Louis van Gaal

The Dutchman defends his young striker after a goalles run which stretches across 11 hours of football

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal addresses the media (Getty)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has thrown his weight behind Anthony Martial, stressing the young Frenchman needs time to rediscover his scoring touch.

The 20-year-old, who was the most expensive teenager in the world when he signed from Monaco for a fee of £36m rising to £58m with add-ons, scored four goals in his first four appearances for the Red Devils.

However, the United striker has failed to find the net in over 11 hours of competitive football since the 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow in a crucial Champions League clash in October.

Anthony Martial has endured a frustrating few months (GETTY IMAGES)

Ahead of the crunch meeting with Wolfsburg tonight, Van Gaal said: “I think he is very talented. But we have to say, also, that he is just 20-years-old and we have to give him time.

“That's always difficult when you are playing for a team like Manchester United because the expectations are very high.

“But I'm ­convinced he should continue (in the team) and he will score at the right moment again.

“You cannot expect that a 20-year-old, in his first year in the Premier League, scores every week.

“I didn't expect that when he came. He was exceeding expectations at the start of his career at Manchester United and I know that. I have to explain that. He doesn't need that pressure to score in every match.”