MAN UNITED 0, BURNLEY 0
Manchester United reject Tom Heaton returned to Old Trafford to haunt his former club as Burnley’s goalless draw piled the pressure on Jose Mourinho.
Goalkeeper Heaton, who failed to make the grade with the Reds, was the Clarets’ super hero as they picked up their first point at the ground since 1974, the year United were relegated to the second tier of English football.
Heaton pulled off a string of super saves – several he had no right to make – as it was another miserable day for Mourinho whose frustration resulted in him being banished to the stand while Ander Herrera was also sent off.
And with United eighth in the table and slipping way out of contention for a top four Champions League place, these are worrying times.
Indeed, after 10 Premier League games, Mourinho has picked up only 15 points compared to 13 by Louis van Gaal and 17 from David Moyes.
In fairness United didn’t do an awful lot wrong apart from putting the ball in the net – they had a remarkable 37 goals attempts, their most in a Premier League game since 2003/04 including 11 on target.
They also had 72-per-cent possession and the corner count was 19-1 in their favour.
But all credit to Burnley who defended resolutely to keep their opponents at bay in a goalless game as entertaining as you will see.
Mourinho didn’t appear for the second successive post match press conference as he sent Rui Faria to give his view to the media.
Faria would not comment about the manager’s sending off saying all that matters is what is contained in referee Mark Clattenburg’s report.
The assistant manager couldn’t fault the effort and commitment of his players saying they dominated and fought from the first second.
“We showed a fantastic approach to the game. We need for better days, they will happen quickly,” he declared.
Faria added everyone should be pleased with the display.
He continued: “Everybody should be happy with the performance as they saw we fought to the last second.
“We created many chances and their keeper was the best player on the pitch. We would be more worried if we weren’t creating chances.
“We believe goals will arrive and better days will come for sure.”
This was United’s first 3pm kick off on a Saturday of the current campaign. It was also the first of 15 competitive games this season not to be televised.
Mourinho made only two changes from the side that kicked off against Manchester City in the EFL Cup.
Jesse Lingard and Matteo Darmian replaced Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia, the latter ruled out through an arm he fractured during Wednesday’s match.
United started brightly with Zlatan Ibrahimovic having a shot on target after only 24 seconds, the first of 12 he had in the game.
Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Ibrahimovic all had goal attempts in a lively opening eight minutes.
Heaton showed why he is in the England squad with a brilliant block after 17 minutes to deny Ibrahimovic who was put clean through by Mata’s fine through ball.
Heaton was called into action again mid-half with a smart save low to his right to turn away a low shot from Mata.
Burnley were dangerous on the counter attack and from one raid Johann Berg Gudmundsson shot straight at keeper David De Gea after Daley Blind headed out cross by Dean Marney.
United remained in control as Ibrahimovic had an effort deflected over for a corner before Heaton pulled off a third super stop of the half.
This time Ander Herrera’s cross was met by Lingard whose header was arrowing towards the top corner before Heaton showed razor sharp reflexes to turn it over the crossbar.
And at the end of the half, Pogba’s 30-yard drive, a scorching effort, was turned over the bar by Heaton.
United also had a penalty appeal rejected when Darmian went down after a challenge by John Fanagan, though replays suggested it was anything but clear cut.
Mourinho went ballistic and evidently had words with Mr Clattenburg at the break and was sent off as he didn’t reappear in the technical area, but in the front row of the south stand.
But after fourth official Kevin Friend intervened, Mourinho was removed from this vantage point. And after several unsuccessful attempts to relocate, he ended up in the directors’ box.
Burnley sensed an opportunity to seize on this disarray as Andre Gray burst clean through only for Luke Shaw to save the day with a last-gasp tackle by Luke Shaw.
Scott Arfield then had a chance, but blazed over from 12 yards when completely free.
United eventually regained their composure and had chances to make the breakthrough, but found Heaton unbeatable.
First he denied Mata and then a fabulous double save to stop the Spaniard and then Lingard’s follow-up shot.
Heaton then pulled off another amazing save to keep out a six-yard scissor kick from Ibrahimovic, hurting his arm and needing a lengthy spell of treatment before continuing.
And when Heaton was beaten, he was saved twice in quick succession by the woodwork as Mata and Ibrahimovic both went close.
United’s cause was not helped when Herrera was sent off with 22 minutes left after picking up a second booking for a challenge on Dean Marney.
Both sides had penalty appeals turned down, Ashley Barnes for Burnley and United’s Darmian both claiming they had been fouled.
United made a double change after 73 minutes when Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini were introduced at the expense of Mata and Lingard.
Burnley came close to snatching the lead when Barnes glanced a header narrowly wide with David De Gea beaten from a Gudmundsson cross.
United made their last change with eight minutes left when Rashford was replaced by Memphis Depay, their last throw of the dice to find a winning goal.
The Reds continued to create chances to the death as Blind’s shot was deflected of former United player Michael Keane or a corner, Shaw curled an effort just wide, and Ibrahimovic contrived to blaze over from three yards – a miss that summed up their day.
And in five minutes of added time, substitute Wayne Rooney fired just over – not even he could conjure a piece of magic needed to break the deadlock.