Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has urged his players to have more desire to win a game of football.

The Red Devils hit the front against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 30 minutes when Ander Herrera volleyed home Ashley Young's floating cross but could not hold out the Gunners in the eventual 1-1 draw.

Theo Walcott's 82nd-minute effort was deflected in by Tyler Blackett, denying United a victory, and van Gaal felt it was due to his side's inability to kill off the contest as champions Chelsea are so good at doing whether it be defensively or in attack.

"I think the difference between Chelsea and Manchester United at this moment is that they can finish a game, they can kill the game," he said.

"When you are 1-0 ahead with fantastic football and they don't cross the (halfway) line in the first half, you create a lot of chances, then you have to finish the game.

"That is the mentality we have to improve."

The draw left United sitting fourth on the Premier League table, two points behind the third-placed Gunners, who have a game in hand.