Manchester United's Robin van Persie (3rd R) shoots to score during their English Premier League soccer match against Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England October 26, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

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Van Gaal blamed a "lack of communications" for the defensive lapse that allowed Drogba to soar at the near post and head home from a corner early in the second half.

The Dutchman said his players had "lost our head" for 10 or 15 minutes, during which Chelsea might have scored a second, before coming back fighting.

"Chelsea is the best club in Europe, I think, who can kill the game," he said. "Nevertheless we created one or two chances and we scored a goal."

Van Gaal was adamant that Ivanovic's red card, which led to the free kick that provided United's equaliser, was deserved.

"I have seen it on television. Ivanovic kicked him (Di Maria) twice -- not once but twice (on) the ankles. You can say maybe the first time is coincidence but the second time no," he said.

But he was also tough on his own captain Robin Van Persie, standing in for the suspended Wayne Rooney, for earning a booking with an over-exuberant goal celebration.

"You have seen he did a stupid reaction after the goal. You can be excited but you don't have to pull off your shirt because then you have a yellow card, it's not so smart," he said.

As Van Persie fired the equaliser and was buried under a scrum of delighted United players, Mourinho turned away shaking his head.

But at the final whistle he sportingly embraced Van Gaal -- and added a generous tribute later.

"They (United) have one of the best managers in the world... He's one of that group. He's a great coach, he's a great manager, I think they're in great hands," Mourinho told reporters.

"The same way I had last year to build... Louis, with time, will make a fantastic team."