Daley Blind snatches late leveller for Man United at West Ham

West Ham 1 Man Utd 1: It comes to something when Sam Allardyce calls Manchester United a long-ball team; but that’s what it took for Louis van Gaal’s side to earn a point at Upton Park – and the post-match comments should make uncomfortable reading for United fans despite the temporary frisson caused by their side’s last-gasp equaliser.

Daley Blind’s excellent effort saved United from defeat and confirmed the spirit that served them so well in the Alex Ferguson days is still alive. But that, sadly, is where comparisons with teams of the past comes to an end — because it was not flowing football that prompted the revival but the muscular presence of substitute Marouane Fellaini as a target man.

The question, of course, is whether van Gaal deserves praise for his pragmatic approach as United lumped long balls forward, or whether his betrayal of the United brand and his strange use of Wayne Rooney and Angel Di Maria – both played deep in midfield again – is part of the problem at Old Trafford.