United draw blank as Jose boils over
JOSE MOURINHO could not have envisaged an afternoon like this – a home game against a promoted club should have been the ideal platform to build upon Wednesday’s derby win over Manchester City in the EFL Cup.
Instead, the Portuguese was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg at halftime and watched his side stumble to a costly goalless draw despite dominating from first minute to last.
His team enjoyed 72% of possession, had 37 shots and 19 corners, but failed to find a way past an inspired Tom Heaton, and had midfielder Ander Herrera sent off.
The unexpected loss of two points means it is now one win in seven in the Premier League for United, as they slipped eight points behind the leaders.
Mourinho was only charged with the FA in midweek for complaints he made about referee Anthony Taylor ahead of the game at Liverpool. And he can now expect another letter in the post from them this week after the latest incident when they receive Clattenburg’s post-match report. And this latest incident may even result in a stadium ban.
The flashpoint here came just before halftime as Matteo Darmian went down in the area under a challenge from Burnley substitute Jon Flanagan.
Clattenburg waved away the appeals and TV replays showed that contact was minimal, but Mourinho was incensed as he raced up the touchline. After a row in the tunnel, he
appeared after the break in the first row of the stands before moving back to the director’s box in a comic interlude.
Mourinho ducked his post-match media duties and it was left to assistant Rui Faria to deliver the verdict. The team did fantastic work from the first second,” he said. “We were dominant with 11 men. We were dominant with 10.
“When the best player is their goalkeeper, you always feel you will get one goal, minimum.” And Burnley boss Sean Dyche could only echo those thoughts about his goalkeeper and United’s display.
“Tom Heaton was superb,” he said. “He is in very good form. We kept him so quiet last season, he has been saving it up.
The assault started straight away as Zlatan Ibrahimovic had three chances in the first 20 minutes. He shot straight at Heaton, volleyed another chance over the bar and was then denied by a terrific sprawling save. Ibrahimovic turned provider with a sharp pass for Juan Mata, but the Spaniard’s drive was pushed behind by Heaton.
However, the closest United came in the opening half was through Jesse Lingard’s header, which produced a fabulous flying save.
With Mourinho now in the stands, Heaton remained unbeatable after the break. The Clarets skipper saved well from Mata after he was set up by Ibrahimovic and bettered that when he blocked a full-blooded Ibrahimovic volley from only six yards.
When Heaton was beaten, the woodwork came to his rescue twice in a matter of moments. First, Mata struck the base of the post and then a deflected header from Ibrahimovic looped onto the bar.
There was a further twist when Ander Herrera was sent off for picking up two yellows – both for late challenges on Dean Marney, a decision which was disputed by United.
There was a further vociferous penalty claim as sub Ashley Barnes launched into a wild looking lunge in the box, but he just got something on the ball. Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini were then sent on as the chances kept coming. There was nothing better all day than when Pogba’s cross found Ibrahimovic unmarked three yards out in the last minute, but the Swede stabbed wide to sum up his and his team’s afternoon.