Daley Blind claims Manchester United 'had the chances, but not the finish' in draw with West Ham

The Dutchman's late goal rescued a point at Upton Park

Daley Blind celebrates with Luke Shaw after equalising for Manchester United (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United saviour Daley Blind wants to forget his point-saving heroics at West Ham and focus on claiming victory over Burnley on Wednesday.

The Dutchman scored a stoppage-time equaliser as United rescued a 1-1 draw despite being second best at Upton Park.

The Red Devils missed the chance to move within three points of second-placed Manchester City and remained fourth ahead of the Clarets clash at Old Trafford.

"I like that there's an early game already because we can forget this one," Blind told MUTV.

"We have to keep looking up and three points is important in the next game.

"We showed a fighting spirit and the character we have and we tried to win the game in the end, but we have to do with the draw and one point. Of course, we wanted more.

"We had to score earlier in the game and not at the end. I think we could have done that. We had the chances, but not the finish.

"It's good that we're creating chances and it's good that we keep possession."

United boss Louis van Gaal, who will be without Luke Shaw against Burnley after his late dismissal, was particularly disappointed with the first-half showing, but pleased with the reaction as the leveller came from the direct route.

Van Gaal said: "I think in the first half we have a lack in confidence. Otherwise I cannot explain how bad we were."

Defender Phil Jones, like Van Gaal, felt the visitors could have claimed victory after a late bombardment.

"In the end, we are disappointed in the dressing room that we didn't take all three points," Jones said.

"We have not lost, which is a plus, but we could have gained some ground. It was not to be.

"We have got another big game on Wednesday night now and we need to win that one as well.

"The manager said in the dressing room after the game that he couldn't fault our spirit.

"If we had shown that more in the first half then we might have come away with a victory.

"We need to address and evaluate this game. Then we will move on to the Burnley game."

West Ham, meanwhile, will hope to respond from a result which felt like a loss by recording a victory at Southampton.

Midfielder Stewart Downing told whufc.com: "We needed the win to go back above Liverpool, but we didn't lose the game and got a point, so we can go to Southampton and look to win."

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce questioned United's long-ball tactics afterwards as Marouane Fellaini caused havoc, leading to Blind's leveller.

Downing added: "We're frustrated because we thought we were the better team.

"They played a lot more direct than I thought they would, but we dealt with it and it's the only real chance they've had."

Left-back Aaron Cresswell praised Cheikhou Kouyate, the midfielder who was deployed in defence and scored a superb goal to put the Hammers in front.

"I don't think he quite knew what he was doing," said Cresswell, tongue in cheek.

"It was a great finish. He has come into centre-half and he did an excellent job and deserved man of the match."

The late concession did not dent the Hammers' belief too much.

"We are still full of confidence and we know we deserved the full three points over the 90 minutes and it was not to be," Cresswell added.

"We are full of confidence for Southampton on Wednesday and we are looking forward to it."