“Again the same song. We created a lot of chances but we didn’t finish the chances. Then Chelsea make the first goal and it’s much more difficult. They made the pitch bigger and then we had to run and run. But ten minutes after conceding the goal, we kept together again and we deserved the last goal. We could’ve won. I’m saying it nearly every game but that’s a good sign. Chelsea are top level and we were their equal at least.
On Rafael marking Drogba for when Chelsea scored the opening goal:
“There was a mix in communication between Rafael and Marouane Fellaini, Chelsea came up with one man more and then Daley Blind had to join in and we had forgotten what to do next.”
Van Gaal admitted Rafael shouldn't have been left to challenge Didier Drogba for Chelsea's goal. Jon Super / AP/Press Association Images
Jon Super / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
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On what he felt was the element that pleased him the most:
“We are showing that we are believing until the end – in spite of being a goal down. It’s fantastic that players are running until the 90th minute looking to equalise or to win.”
On whether Branislav Ivanovic deserved to be sent-off for two bookable offences:
“He touched him (Angel di Maria) two times. That’s a yellow card.”
On whether it felt like a win because of the circumstances:
“No. I’ve said to players that we could’ve won. But we didn’t win and that’s our fault – not the fault of opponent. But , when you can do that (get a late equaliser) against the best team in the league, it’s a good sign.”
Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport
Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
Jose Mourinho:
“I’m very happy. We played a fantastic game. It’s not easy to play here against United when they tried to play very compact in defence and tried to catch us on counter. But we were fantastic, especially in the second half. We had a good control of the game and we could’ve scored a couple of more goals. But I’m very happy with my players.”
On Drogba getting on the score-sheet:
“For a guy who wasn’t able to train, to give us 90 minutes and to score the goal – he could’ve scored in the first half too – I’m so happy with his performance. But the team was so good so it’s hard to pinpoint other players.”
Mourinho wasn't happy that referee Phil Dowd failed to award Chelsea a first-half penalty after Chris Smalling appeared to wrestle Branislav Ivanovic to the ground. Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport
Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
On Ivanovic’s second yellow card:
“It’s hard for me to speak about second yellow card without speaking about other things. The penalty on Ivanovic (the defender looked to have been fouled by Chris Smalling in the first half), the accumulation of cards, fouls he (Phil Dowd) was not giving, throw-ins in front of me that were given in the other direction. There should be even more credit given to my players. We came to win and we showed that since the first minute. The performance was fantastic and the result is acceptable.”
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea: Managers' reactions
Louis Van Gaal:
“Again the same song. We created a lot of chances but we didn’t finish the chances. Then Chelsea make the first goal and it’s much more difficult. They made the pitch bigger and then we had to run and run. But ten minutes after conceding the goal, we kept together again and we deserved the last goal. We could’ve won. I’m saying it nearly every game but that’s a good sign. Chelsea are top level and we were their equal at least.
On Rafael marking Drogba for when Chelsea scored the opening goal:
“There was a mix in communication between Rafael and Marouane Fellaini, Chelsea came up with one man more and then Daley Blind had to join in and we had forgotten what to do next.”
On what he felt was the element that pleased him the most:
“We are showing that we are believing until the end – in spite of being a goal down. It’s fantastic that players are running until the 90th minute looking to equalise or to win.”
On whether Branislav Ivanovic deserved to be sent-off for two bookable offences:
“He touched him (Angel di Maria) two times. That’s a yellow card.”
On whether it felt like a win because of the circumstances:
“No. I’ve said to players that we could’ve won. But we didn’t win and that’s our fault – not the fault of opponent. But , when you can do that (get a late equaliser) against the best team in the league, it’s a good sign.”
Jose Mourinho:
“I’m very happy. We played a fantastic game. It’s not easy to play here against United when they tried to play very compact in defence and tried to catch us on counter. But we were fantastic, especially in the second half. We had a good control of the game and we could’ve scored a couple of more goals. But I’m very happy with my players.”
On Drogba getting on the score-sheet:
“For a guy who wasn’t able to train, to give us 90 minutes and to score the goal – he could’ve scored in the first half too – I’m so happy with his performance. But the team was so good so it’s hard to pinpoint other players.”
On Ivanovic’s second yellow card:
“It’s hard for me to speak about second yellow card without speaking about other things. The penalty on Ivanovic (the defender looked to have been fouled by Chris Smalling in the first half), the accumulation of cards, fouls he (Phil Dowd) was not giving, throw-ins in front of me that were given in the other direction. There should be even more credit given to my players. We came to win and we showed that since the first minute. The performance was fantastic and the result is acceptable.”
Last gasp van Persie strike salvages United a point
As it happened: Manchester United v Chelsea, Premier League
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Chelsea feedback Jose Mourinho Louis van Gaal Manchester United Old Trafford Premier League