Manchester United did it all against Burnley, but dominating possession with a huge number of shots and corners just didn’t translate into a goal for the Red Devils.

The Clarets managed to soak in all that Manchester United had to offer to come away with a goalless draw at Old Trafford. This was the first time they managed to keep a clean sheet at Old Trafford in 95 years, and Burnley put in a gritty defensive performance that surely deserved a point.

It was another unsatisfying result for Man United, who will feel hard done by the result. Here are five talking points from the game.

1. Shooting at Tom Heaton is like shooting at a brick wall

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Thomas Heaton of Burnley reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on February 11, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 11: Thomas Heaton of Burnley reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on February 11, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

All eyes were on Manchester United youth academy product Michael Keane ahead of the game, but it was another ex-player who came back to haunt the Red Devils.

Goalkeeper Tom Heaton was released by United in 2010 after five years at the club. The 30-year-old showed his former employers just what they missed out on by pulling off a stellar display against them.

He pulled off some amazing saves, with one particular stop from a Zlatan Ibrahimovic scissors kick standing out as the highlight of the game.

2. Zlatan is starting to frustrate

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United is dejected after the final whistle during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on October 29, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United is dejected after the final whistle during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on October 29, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)

It looks like age is finally catching up to the super Swede. The 35-year-old striker is renowned for his finishing ability, but it seemed to abandon him against Burnley.

Zlatan had a number of opportunities to score, but ened up wasting them all. In the second half, Paul Pogba teed him up for a simple tap in which the striker skied. This was a chance that Zlatan is expected to convert everytime, and his performance raises some troublesome questions for Man United and Mourinho.

3. Rooney fairy tale  coming to an end

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on October 29, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on October 29, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images)

Another iconic player Wayne Rooney was handed the opportunity to become the hero for the Red Devils. After coming on as a substitute, Rooney found himself in loads of space in the Burnley box after a well placed corner. The Englishman could only place his shot over the goal.

Rooney has had a fairy tale career at Manchester United since joining from Everton as a teenager. He is the second highest goal getter for the club, but it looks like the fairy tale is coming to an end. The missed chance is just the latest in a long list of indicators that the captain is past his prime.

4. Controversial red card for Herrera

Referee Mark Clattenburg (R) gestures to Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera (2R) to leave the field after being sent off during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 29, 2016. (Photo by Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images)
Referee Mark Clattenburg (R) gestures to Manchester United’s Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera (2R) to leave the field after being sent off during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 29, 2016. (Photo by Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images)

Ander Herrera has been a revelation for Manchester United in midfield. The tough tackling Spaniard ended up making things worse for his team though, after he was sent off by referee Mark Clattenburg for a second yellow card offense.

The first yellow was a soft one, but the second yellow card was a controversial decision. Herrera appeared to slip as he went in for the tackle, but the referee still gave him his marching orders to leave United down to ten men.

5. The Mourinho conspiracy returns

Manchester United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (R) talks with fourth official Kevin Friend (L) on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 29, 2016. (Photo by Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (R) talks with fourth official Kevin Friend (L) on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 29, 2016. (Photo by Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images)

Last season Jose Mourinho had alleged that there was some conspiracy against his team, as Chelsea struggled in the Premier League. It now looks as if old ghosts have come back to haunt the Portuguese manager even at Manchester United and the conspiracy is perhaps against him.

Mourinho was charged by the FA before the game for his pre-match comments ahead of United against Liverpool. During half time he had an altercation with the referee, and the fans were shocked as Mourinho was sent to the stands by the officials for his behaviour.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Recommended

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.