Louis Van Gaal slams Robin Van Persie's 'stupid' celebration

Louis van Gaal claimed Manchester United’s fighting spirit will take them back into the top four after Robin van Persie’s last minute equalizer against Chelsea.

But the United boss criticised his striker’s ‘stupid’ reaction in ripping off his shirt after scoring the goal, earning him a booking.

United were seconds away from their third defeat this season when Van Persie smashed the ball home beyond 10-man Chelsea’s defence, the first goal of the Van Gaal era in what used to be known as ‘Fergie time’.

Didier Drogba had put Chelsea ahead after 53 minutes, but Jose Mourinho was furious when Branislav Ivanovic was sent off by referee Phil Dowd in injury time for a second yellow-card offence.

Van Gaal said: "Chelsea tried to kill the game, they made the pitch big and we had to run a lot but we fought till the end. When we scored it was deserved. We created a lot of chances - far more than Chelsea."

"Chelsea created one chance in the first half, but it was a lack of communication that led to their goal. After they scored we lost our heads, but we played very, very well."

Van Gaal admitted he was furious with Van Persie for ripping his shirt off after scoring. "It was a stupid reaction after the goal,’ he said. ‘I can see he was excited but after he was booked it was not so smart."

-MailOnline