Manchester United assistant manager Rui Faria has praised referee Mark Clattenburg for "fantastic work" during the side's goalless draw with Burnley at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Manager Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands during the half-time interval after an alleged argument with Clattenburg over a denied penalty shout when Jon Flanagan tackled Matteo Darmian inside the area.
As a result, Mourinho was free to skip his post-match media duties as Faria instead fielded questions from the press.
"I don't know what happened," he said of Mourinho. "It is not important what Jose said, what is important is what the referee writes in his report.
"I think the referee did fantastic work. I won't say more than this."
Faria went on to praise his side for their performance in the match, which saw them have 72% possession and make 37 shots despite going a man down when Ander Herrera received his marching orders in the second half.
"I think we need to congratulate the boys, it was a fantastic performance. With 11 men we dominated the game, created opportunities, but did not score," he added. "Even with 10 men we controlled the game. Our players were fantastic with their belief, attitude and fight.
"The people in the stadium could feel that the players gave everything. We fought until the last second. We have to keep working and things will happen.
"Sometimes you create only a few chances and score them all, others you create lots and don't score any. This is football."
Next up for United, who are now eighth in the Premier League, is a trip to Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday ahead of a visit to Swansea City in the league next weekend.
Neil Wilkes
