Manchester United's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 29, 2016. / AFP / OLI SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)OLI SCARFF/Getty Images
Manchester United vs. Burnley: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match
Stuart NewmanOct 29, 2016
Ten-man Manchester United were left frustrated by Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, as the newly promoted Clarets held Jose Mourinho’s men to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Burnley stopper Tom Heaton stole the show with a truly exceptional performance on his return to his boyhood club, as he made a string of sensational saves to earn his side their first away point of the season.
Ander Herrera was sent off for two bookable offences with 22 minutes to go to make the job even harder for United, who now sit five points adrift of the Champions League places.
As expected, United dominated the opening exchanges at Old Trafford, yet there was precious little cutting edge in the final third.
Juan Mata was once again pulling the strings in midfield and linking up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic well, but breaking down the Burnley defence was proving much harder than expected.
And when United did get in, they had a brick wall in front of them in the shape of Heaton.
The former United stopper was a phenomenon throughout the match and thwarted his past employers at every turn.
With 17 minutes on the clock, Ibrahimovic had a chance to end his goal drought after Mata played him through one-on-one, but Heaton made himself big to deny the striker.
The official Manchester United Twitter page captured Heaton’s stop:
The Burnley goalkeeper was at it again towards the end of the opening period, too, this time keeping Jesse Lingard out.
Herrera’s cross was met brilliantly by the England man on the charge from deep, but Heaton once again stuck out a hand to keep the score 0-0.
YouTube star Ryan Ross was one of many taken aback by Heaton’s display, jesting that he must have a secret to his brilliance:
Paul Pogba also went close with a speculative effort from deep, while United had a penalty appeal waved away deep into the half, much to the disgust of Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.
The United boss gave referee Mark Clattenburg both barrels at half-time and was sent to the stands as a result, per Squawka News:
The second 45 minutes was more of the same, as wave after wave of United attacks kept Burnley on the back foot.
Mata was once again denied by a smart stop from Heaton midway through the half, while Ibrahimovic almost broke the keeper’s wrist with a stinging volley moments later.
The whole of Old Trafford was almost praying the Swede’s effort did enough to force Heaton off the pitch, yet he carried on and kept up his sterling performance.
Finding a way past Heaton was made that little bit harder in the 68th minute, as Herrera was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence—his first Premier League dismissal since joining the Red Devils according to OptaJoe:
But United were determined to give it a go with 10 men and continued to lay siege to Heaton’s goal.
Marcus Rashford was proving a constant nuisance to Burnley’s defence, while Marouane Fellaini came off the bench to give United a more direct option to goal.
Daley Blind came perilously close to opening the scoring deep into the match with a heavily deflected effort that just fizzed over the bar with Heaton beaten.
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However, there was no way past for United against a stubborn Burnley side, whose supporters erupted at the final whistle while celebrating a precious point.
While United fans will be disappointed by the scoreline at Old Trafford, it doesn’t do the performance justice, as Heaton was the only difference between 0-0 and as much as 6-0.
Reaction
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With Mourinho opting out of media activity after the game, United assistant manager Rui Faria told BBC Sport that his players dominated the match and deserve praise for their belief:
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I think we need to congratulate the boys, it was a fantastic performance. With 11 men we dominated the game, created opportunities, but did not score. Even with 10 men we controlled the game. Our players were fantastic with their belief, attitude and fight. The people in the stadium could feel that the players gave everything. We fought until the last second. We have to keep working and things will happen. Sometimes you create only a few chances and score them all, others you create lots and don't score any. This is football.
