The Dutch coach says his side's inability to see out victory sullied their otherwise strong performance, while he was also disappointed with referee Michael Oliver's decisions
A visibly annoyed Louis van Gaal expressed his disappointment at Manchester United’s failure to see out victory against Chelsea after they conceded a late equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils continued their resurgence in form with an energetic performance typified by Jesse Lingard’s delightful opener, but were pegged back in stoppage time by Diego Costa.
The result sees United fall 12 points behind leaders Leicester City after the weekend’s action, and Van Gaal believes his side undid all their hard work in the dying embers of the match.
“I think we played a superb game, until the last quarter, and then we didn’t keep the ball, or we don’t play the way that I think that we have to do,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports afterwards.
“It’s unbelievable we don’t reward ourselves. It’s deeply frustrating, because we were the better team. But we didn’t win again. We didn’t win. We had the better chances, but we didn’t win.”
He continued: “Chelsea pushed with long balls and more aggression, but nevertheless you have to keep the ball and you have to be composed, when you defend also you have to be composed, not kicking the ball away without any meaning.
“There were a lot of times I think where we could control the ball and play the ball. And also, we could have scored after the first goal I think.
"But you don’t reward yourself when you play such a game against a fantastic team like Chelsea. You have to reward yourself.”
Van Gaal was also unhappy with the number of free-kicks awarded to Chelsea by referee Michael Oliver, and felt his time-keeping was unfair against United.
“I don’t think all the fouls were free-kicks, but this referee gave them a lot of free-kicks at the end of the game,” explained the United boss, who confronted the fourth official at full-time.
“That was because the [stoppage] time was already over the six minutes, and then he let [Chelsea] kick he corner. Then we had a free pitch for us, a lot of space, and then he whistles.
“And he did it also in the first half – maybe you remember that! So I think you cannot do that, otherwise you don’t let the corner be taken because the six minutes has passed. I don’t think that is fair to two teams.”
- Goal