Manchester United vs Burnley: Jose Mourinho in press conference no-show as Rui Faria plays down sending off

Assistant manager Faria took United's post-match press conference after Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg

Jose Mourinho’s assistant, Rui Faria, said it was “not important” that the Manchester United manager had been sent off during the goalless draw with Burnley. Faria, who contemptuously said that Mark Clattenburg’s dismissal of Ander Herrera was “fantastic work from the ref”, added that the only thing that mattered was what Clattenburg put in his report.

For a man already charged by the FA for his comments about referee, Anthony Taylor, before the goalless draw at Liverpool, another charge that could lead to a touchline ban was the last thing Mourinho required. He served a stadium ban at Stoke last year during his chaotic last month as Chelsea manager.

The Manchester United manager, whose team is now eight points off the top of the Premier League and, more importantly, five adrift of a Champions League place, was incensed by Clattenburg’s decision not to award a penalty for a trip by the Burnley defender, Jon Flanagan, on Matteo Darmian.

Replays suggested that the Italian dived but Mourinho continued his argument with Clattenburg in the Old Trafford tunnel during the interval and was dismissed. His opposite number, the Burnley manager, Sean Dyche, said he had not been aware until after the match that Mourinho had been sent off.

Mourinho spent the second half sending notes to Faria on the touchline as Manchester United tried in vain for the breakthrough against a superbly dogged Burnley side. “The team did fantastic work from the first second,” said Faria, who took the post-match press conference instead of Mourinho. “We were dominant with 11 men and we were dominant with 10. We showed fantastic mentality especially after a game against Manchester City in the middle of the week.

“Everyone should be pleased with the performance. We fought until the last second to get the result and that is the most important thing. Jose is not here to say it but we are very happy with the players’ performance.

“Their goalkeeper was the best player on the pitch. We had 37 shots and things did not happen. I still believe better days and better results will come.”