It had been 95 years since Clarets visited Old Trafford and denied them from scoring any goal but Sean Dyche’s men wanted to do just that as Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils, being high on confidence after their midweek win over their noisy neighbours, hosted Burnley.
The match got off to a much slower start with United trying to get a grip in the game but soon opportunities started to flow beyond any measure. Mata, Herrera and Pogba put in very good individual efforts but so many opportunities were wasted.
Much of the credit though goes to Burnley’s defence but especially goalkeeper Tom Heaton who was absolutely magnificent with his saves. He kept extinguishing United’s fire with reflexes and saves after saves and in the end, after nearly a century, United were held again after giving it all and Dyche’s men gained a much important point.
36 chances were created by United totally and no goal shows how Burnley worked their socks off and how finishing cost United once again. Here is how the players of United have been rated.
GK: David De Gea – 6/10
Counter attacks were dealt with United’s defence well and De Gea had very little to do in goal. While the result is a disappointment it’s a clean-sheet for the Spaniard.
RB: Matteo Darmian – 6.5/10
Darmian looks like a rejuvenated player and he deserved to get penalty earlier in the match but it was denied. Valencia’s injury means Darmian will get more chances and United fans would hope he keeps it up.
CB: Daley Blind – 6/10
A decent performance at the back. Nothing extraordinary but kept Burnley at bay.
CB: Marcos Rojo – 7/10
Another player stepping up at the right moment. Rojo has a lot to prove but he put in a good shift again at the back with Bailly being injured and absent. Two clean sheets in a week!
LB: Luke Shaw – 6.5/10
Luke definitely had to impress his manager today and he did it. He tracked back superbly to make a brilliant challenge on Gray, preventing him from creating any scoring opportunity.
CM: Ander Herrera – 5/10
Herrera was harshly sent off after a slip cost him and he received a second yellow and marching orders from Clattenburg. Had a mediocre game otherwise.
CM: Paul Pogba – 6.5/10
Probably Pogba’s best performance in a United shirt so far. He was crucial to almost every attack launched forward from the midfield and he kept creating chances after chances but it just wasn’t United’s day. A superb ball at the end should have ended but Ibrahimović’s poor finishing couldn’t get him an assist.
CAM: Juan Mata – 7/10
Another delightful performance from Mata who’s passes kept opening Burnley at the back. Deserved to get an assist but it wasn’t to be.
RW: Jesse Lingard – 5/10
Had a very poor start to the game and kept giving possession away. Headed a ball solidly afterwards which was saved by Heaton. Second half saw him shift centrally but nothing extraordinary from the rising talent.
LW: Marcus Rashford – 5/10
Looked to be trying and probing every time he got the ball. Crosses were a little under par today. Can do much better.
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimović – 4.5/10
A frustratingly dismal performance from a player of his calibre. Kept missing chances time and again and has cost his side dearly. Two points dropped. Should have slotted home in the final minutes.
