Louis van Gaal insists Manchester United can still close the gap to Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
United drew 2-2 at West Brom on Monday to drop more points as they try to catch Jose Mourinho's leaders, who they host on Sunday.
Daley Blind scored an 87th minute equaliser after Saido Berahino's sixth league goal of the season almost wrapped up victory for Albion.
Marouane Fellaini scored his first United goal to make it 1-1 but the draw left United 10 points behind Chelsea yet Van Gaal believes they can catch them.
He said: "That's possible but difficult to say because then I am arrogant. But I have done it a lot of times.
"It is two points lost. I think we were the better team and I am very disappointed by the result. We were two times behind but I don't think West Bromwich Albion created too many chances.
"We gave the two goals away and we created four chances in the first half and seven in the second. We dominated the game.
"That's what I want as a coach and as a manager but the manager doesn't want a result like 2-2.
"I have said to my players I cannot be happy. I am happy about our play style but not the result."
In fact, Van Gaal told Sky Sports he believes the performance was United's "best match of the season".
"I think we could have won but that doesn't count in our world so that's why I'm disappointed, but I also have to be happy because we created a lot of chances and only two shots from West Bromwich Albion turned into goals.
"We gave it away because of our individual errors and that's a pity..."
"I've seen on the training ground now that we are better, the players understand the formation more and I've seen it today which is why it's such a pity we didn't get the result we deserved."
The Dutchman's half-time introduction of Fellaini in place of Ander Herrera looked inspired when the Belgian scored in the 48th minute, but he revealed how this tactical decision was made after only a few minutes.
"Herrera has played a normal game, not very good but normal, but we have to look also for physical talents and maybe that's our problem," he said.
"I'm a coach who is always thinking about creative players but in England you also need physical bodies in your team and Fellaini is one of these."
Van Gaal had suggested beforehand he was pleased with United's progress, but conceded that the points tally was well below his true expectations.
"It's not too good I believe because I think when we see the games normally we are the better team," he said. "When you have 12 points out of eight in my opinion it is eight points too few."
The Baggies were good value for the point though and had taken the lead through Stephane Sessegnon's fine eighth-minute effort.
The result lifted them to 14th in the table but head coach Alan Irvine revealed his frustration.
"We're all bitterly disappointed. We were so close to getting a great result against a top team and for us not to get three points feels really tough in this moment," he said.
"The players were terrific all the way through, they worked really hard when we didn't have the ball and passed the ball really well. We got two great goals and we've led twice and I felt quite comfortable on both occasions we had the lead."
Berahino impressed again and Irvine believes he added weight to calls for senior international selection.
"He is in great form. He deserves what he is getting, his application as been really top class. He's behaving like a top professional day after day," he said.
"If he scores goals every week then he has a great chance (of a senior call) but Roy will decide when is the right time for him."
