Louis van Gaal felt his Manchester United really came to play against Chelsea on Monday night.

The Red Devils drew 0-0 with the reigning champions at Old Trafford in what was a much-improved showing on recent outings.

United were desperately unlucky not to score in the first half when Juan Mata and Anthony Martial hit the woodwork while Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois made a number of top-quality saves to deny the home team.

In stark contrast to the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat to Stoke City, van Gaal was upbeat with United's display.

"I think it was a very good performance but you have to score a goal and we didn't," he said.

"Against Stoke in the first half we didn't dare to play but that's a big difference today - we dared to play and pressed a lot.

"We were the dominant team, we created chances, we shot on goal and only gave three chances away. Against a team like Chelsea, with such attackers, that's not bad."