West Brom vs Manchester United: 'Arrogant' Louis van Gaal reiterates United can still catch Chelsea despite 11-point gap

Van Gaal stressed United can still win the Premier League title despite their latest slip-up against West Brom

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal has admitted he is arrogant enough to suggest Manchester United can still win the Premier League title despite their latest setback in the 2-2 draw with West Brom on Monday night.

Van Gaal was facing the prospect of his third Premier League defeat of the season in just eight matches until Daley Blind salvaged a point with a late goal to level the scores. United had already trailed due to goals from Stephane Sessegnon and Saido Berahino, but Marouane Fellaini came off the bench at half-time to score within two minutes and give United hope of a result at The Hawthorns.

That wasn’t to be in the end, but Van Gaal remained defiant in claiming sixth-placed United can still challenge Chelsea and Manchester City for top honours this season due to his ability to have turned around clubs’ fortunes in the past.

“Call me arrogant but we can still catch Chelsea. I have done it before,” Van Gaal said.

When asked whether they could make up the 10-point gap, Van Gaal replied: “That's possible but it is difficult to say.

“But I am arrogant because I have done it a lot of times.”

Van Gaal immediately after match claimed United had let slip the victory after being the dominant team, despite not leading the match at all as they had to come from behind twice. The Dutchman did West Brom a slight disservice in claiming they had “zero chances” on goal despite scoring twice.

“It is two points lost,” van Gaal added. “I think we were the better team. I am very disappointed about the result.

“I don't think West Bromwich Albion has created many chances, I think zero, and we gave the two goals away.

“We have created four chances in the first half and seven in the second half. I am happy about our playing style but not happy with the result.”

Van Gaal elected to bring on Fellaini at the break for Ander Herrera, who was only just returning from a broken rib, and he immediately repaid the faith shown in him by Van Gaal with a well-taken goal inside two minutes of the second half.

Van Gaal reacts to Saido Berahino's goal against Manchester Untied (Getty Images)

However, Van Gaal, who had a word with Fellaini as the half-time whistle went telling him to warm-up, insists the decision to bring the Belgian midfielder on was made after just a few minutes of the match due to West Brom dominating his side in midfield.

“We have to look also for physical talents and maybe that's our problem,' he said.

“I'm a coach who is always thinking about creative players but in England you also need physical bodies and Fellaini is one of these.

“He made a very good substitution but he's always injured and we have to build him up.”