Louis van Gaal praises Anthony Martial's versatility

Ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tilt with CSKA Moscow, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has credited the adaptability of blockbuster summer signing Anthony Martial.

The £36-million man has been primarily used as a centre-forward, though he did have some success on the left wing as teammate Wayne Rooney moved into the prototypical striker's position during Saturday's 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Van Gaal insists that the decision to move Martial to the wing was to neutralise the marauding pace and attacking tendencies of Toffees full-back Seamus Coleman, though the young French international is by no means adverse to playing in several attacking roles.

"He (Martial) can play, in my opinion, four positions," van Gaal told MUTV. "He can play at seven - as a right-winger, 11 - the left-winger, the striker's position and also at 10, I believe. But he has played in Monaco always in the left-winger position.

"That is why I put him there against Everton and also because of Coleman. I think he's a very good right full-back so we could take benefit of the qualities of Martial also."

A win today in Russia would break up the logjam that is Champions League Group C, with United, CSKA, Wolfsburg, and PSV Eindhoven all on three points through two matches.