British-record signing Angel di Maria was unable to inspire Manchester United to victory on his debut as they drew 0-0 at Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
A STG59.7 million ($A109 million) acquisition from Real Madrid, Di Maria started the game, but despite some probing passes and darting runs, he could not illuminate United’s path to goal against Sean Dyche’s promoted side.
Having seen his team beaten by Swansea City and held by Sunderland before being humiliated 4-0 by third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup, new United manager Louis van Gaal has now gone four competitive games without recording a win.
“We were the stronger team, certainly in the second half,” Van Gaal told BT Sport.
“We created chances, but you have to score. That is where we have failed. The progress is there, but you have to win.
“A club like Manchester United has to win. We have two points from nine and that’s disappointing.”
United’s frustrations were compounded in the last five minutes when Spanish playmaker Juan Mata had to go off after appearing to injure his hamstring.
Di Maria came into the United team in central midfield alongside Darren Fletcher and witnessed Burnley twice go close to taking the lead inside the first five minutes at a sunny Turf Moor.
Burnley’s former United trainee Dave Jones curled a free-kick against the bar and visiting goalkeeper David de Gea then had to save alertly after Lukas Jutkiewicz seized on a miscued back-pass by Jonny Evans.
Di Maria produced his first moment of quality in a United shirt in the 15th minute with a raking 50-yard pass for Robin van Persie, who chested the ball down, only for Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton to parry his shot.
Dave Jones worked De Gea from 25 yards at the other end, while United felt they should have been awarded a penalty after Burnley right-back Kieran Tripper appeared to push Ashley Young over in the area shortly before half-time.
Van Persie threatened twice for United around the hour, seeing a volleyed cleared off the line by Dean Marney and heading over, before Di Maria was replaced by Anderson with 20 minutes to play after taking a kick to the calf.
Van Gaal also sent Danny Welbeck into the fray, but with newly appointed England captain Wayne Rooney heading wide and Burnley substitute Ashley Barnes surviving a penalty-box handball claim, the Dutchman had to content himself with a point.
Albo
Guest
I assume that was sarcasm ? Two draws & a loss against 3 teams likely to be staving off relegation all season, is hardly a great start for ManU and I have yet to see any improvement from game 1 against Swansea. One goal since in 180 minutes against the two favourites for relegation ( and a 4-0 drubbing to the mighty 3rd grade MK Dons !) ! The only threat being posed to the opposition is down the right wing with Valencia, and even then most crosses are being wasted. Rooney and Van Persie are way short of their best. God knows where the goals are going to come from ? Their only real chances against a very ordinary Burnley side, were the two penalty chances , where both really should have been awarded . As for their defence, they still almost conceded, bar for the woodwork, to a pop gun attack. Long way to go for ManU as far as I can see !
oli
Guest
Mate, he'll fit in perfectly. We wouldn't want him back just because we want him where he belongs to. Shinji is a typical Bundesliga player, i.e., he's not a superstar but a very intelligent team player able to realise the German philosophy of football, same for Guendogan. Accordingly, no matter where Reus and Mykhitaryan will play, they will always attack and defend in collective patterns. Good luck with Manu this season mate, United over City and Chelsea any day!
oli
Guest
AZ_RBB
Guest
Even as a United fan, I'm happy to see Kagawa return to Dortmund. I wonder how he'll fit i, particularly with Reus still there. I reckon Reus and Mkhitaryan should play out wide and Kagawa in the middle. Reus is playing at a level now, where you can put him just about anywhere and he'll carve up.
oli
Guest
Who cares, Kagawa is back to play in front of the yellow wall again, this is what counts.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
It was an away game for Manchester United, and an improvement on their last match against Burnley at Turf Moor when they lost 1-0 -- so a real positive for M.U. :-)