Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal defended his route one tactics after their 1-1 draw at West Ham United.

Daley Blind scored in stoppage-time to rescue a scarcely deserved point for United after Cheikhou Kouyate's superb opener for the Hammers.

"I cannot say that I am very happy with the point, because I'm very disappointed about the poor first half and we can do much better," Van Gaal said.

"In the second half after three minutes they scored and we gave that ball away.

"Then my team showed fantastic spirit and also fantastic football. We created a lot of chances, three open chances. My opinion is that we could've won this game.

"I cannot say that I am pleased. I'm more frustrated."

Van Gaal attributed his side's display to being unable to win the second balls after winning possession in the air and called for his creative personnel to play their own game, or risk losing their places to more physical players.

He added: "We need the guts to play football along the floor. That we have done in the second half.

"With him (Fellaini) we have more power. With Adnan (Januzaj) and (Angel) di Maria, we have more creative players. The second ball you cannot always win with these players.

"But you have to win (the ball), otherwise I have to line-up always (with) players like Fellaini."