Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs has lavished praise on French forward Anthony Martial for his 'consistency' in the first team this season.

Eyebrows were raised when Man United parted with £36m to sign the 20-year-old from AS Monaco in the summer transfer window, but he has netted 11 goals in 37 games for the Red Devils this season.

Giggs has claimed that Martial has been "a breath of fresh air" for the Premier League club this term.

"Anthony has been a breath of fresh air. He came in for big money and he has been so consistent this year," he told The Telegraph.

"It puts pressure on other players who aren't as consistent because it is not normal for a young player. They can be brilliant for two or three games and then it will dip, but it doesn't happen very often.

"You look at Cristiano Ronaldo. For 18 months he was indifferent. Now, phew, he scores every week. People just mature at different times. It's up to the individual to work hard and the cream usually rises to the top if you work hard and you have got the quality."

Man United will face Liverpool in the last-16 stage of the Europa League on Thursday looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg at Anfield.