Manchester United news: Jose Mourinho charged by FA for misconduct after being sent-off during Burnley draw

Mourinho has until 6pm on Friday to respond after he allegedly used 'abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official'

An irate Jose Mourinho rages after being sent to the stands in Manchester United's 0-0 draw with Burnley (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has been charged by the Football Association with misconduct after he was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenberg during Manchester United’s 0-0 draw with Burnley last Saturday.

Mourinho was sent to the stands at Old Trafford by Clattenburg after using “abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official” at half-time during the Premier League encounter. Mourinho is understood to have made contact with Clattenburg in the tunnel after waiting for the referee in order to express his anger over a penalty decision that did not go in United’s favour.

After United defender Matteo Darmian went over in the penalty area with what looked like an exaggerated fall, Mourinho reacted theatrically and appeared bemused that his side had not won a penalty.

When the two sides emerged for the second half, Mourinho immediately made his way into the first row of the stands to sit alongside the fans, before moving further up to the VIP area to gain a better view and communicate with his coaching team via a constant stream of notes.

The FA’s statement, released on Tuesday afternoon, read: “Jose Mourinho has been charged with misconduct following Manchester United’s game against Burnley on Saturday 29 October 2016.

“It is alleged that in or around the tunnel area at half time he used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.

“He has until 6pm on 4 November 2016 to respond to the charge.”

Mourinho is likely to face a touchline ban if found guilty, although the likelihood is that he will escape a stadium ban. Should he either accept the charge or be found guilty by the FA, then Mourinho risks having to sit in the stands for the this weekend’s Premier League trip to Swansea, returning in time to take charge of United’s clash with Arsenal after the international break.

The Portuguese also faces a fine and even a ban after making comments regarding referee Anthony Taylor in the build-up to United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool last month. Neither United nor the FA have confirmed if Mourinho replied before Monday evening’s deadline after being contacted by the FA, and if so whether he has chosen to contest or accept the matter.

He claimed it would be “difficult” for Taylor to referee the match against Liverpool due to the pressure on him after claims of bias were made due to his Manchester residence, with managers not allowed to talk about referees either before or after matches.