Van Gaal Praises Players' Spirit At West Ham

Louis van Gaal paid tribute to the spirit and determination of his Manchester United players, who were forced to come from behind to draw 1-1 with West Ham at Upton Park on Sunday.

Cheikhou Kouyate volleyed a 49th-minute opener and the Reds trailed until added time, when Daley Blind latched onto a failed clearance to smash home a dramatic equaliser. Speaking after the final whistle, the boss was unhappy with aspects of the team's performance but relieved to rescue a point.

“I think we played very badly in the first half and we showed a lot of spirit in the second half, especially after the goal,” he said. “We gave that goal away I think. Then we played football but you have to do it from the first minute. I have to say what a spirit my team showed after falling 1-0 behind. I have thanked my players for that.”

Asked what was wrong with United’s general play during the first half of Sunday’s match in east London, van Gaal continued: “Especially when we had the ball, we didn’t play it along the floor but also when we lost the ball, then you have to win the first and the second balls much better than we did in the first half.

“Because they were playing long balls, we knew that in advance, but all of the second balls were for West Ham United and that is why we were under a lot of pressure. That is also why the players lost their confidence to play the ball along the floor when we were in possession.”

Marouane Fellaini stepped off the bench in the 72nd minute and helped United create more chances at Upton Park, notably using his height and physical strength to link up with strikers Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie. Afterwards, van Gaal claimed the Belgian’s introduction changed the game.

“I think with Fellaini, you have to change your style of play and that we have done,” the manager said. “Because of Fellaini, we have created a lot of chances because I think we had the three open chances before the goal. Normally, you can win this game also, in spite of the bad first half. But okay, I am pleased that we have a draw here.”