Manchester United have missed out on the chance to secure their first win of the new Premier League season after being held to a goalless draw at Burnley this afternoon.

Robin van Persie of Manchester United and Michael Duff of Burnley battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor on August 30, 2014 © Getty Images

The home side almost took the lead inside the first three minutes when David Jones fired a free kick towards the goal, only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.

There was another worrying moment for David de Gea moments later when Jonny Evans sent a back-pass towards the United keeper, only for Lukas Jutkiewicz to intercept it, but the Spaniard rescued his teammate to block the shot.

After surviving the opening barrage from the hosts, Louis van Gaal's side's first chance of the match fell to Robin van Persie,

After a ball into the box from Angel di Maria, the striker was denied by Clarets keeper Tom Heaton.

Di Maria was involved again moments later, picking out Juan Mata with a backheel, but the Spanish midfielder could not get his shot away in a crowded penalty area.

Angel di Maria of Manchester United runs with the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor on August 30, 2014 © Getty Images

Jones and Scott Arfield also came close as Burnley finished the first half strongly, but neither side could break the deadlock before the half-time whistle.

The visitors kept the ball well at the start of the first half, but they created few goalscoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes of the second period.

A break from Di Maria resulted in another chance for Van Persie when Wayne Rooney collected from the new signing before picking out his strike partner, but Dean Marney was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

Burnley continued to cause problems down the other end, with Matt Taylor's low effort being kept out by De Gea, before the midfielder tried again a few minutes later from a free kick, sending the ball high over the crossbar.

Rooney, who had seen few chances in the opening 80 minutes, tried to fire in from a corner with just over 10 minutes to go, but his finish went wide.

The visitors wanted a penalty with just a couple of minutes remaining when Ashley Young tried to force the ball into the box, only for Ashley Barnes to make a block, with the United players claiming that the striker used his hand, but referee Chris Foy was not interested.

The result gives Burnley their first point of the season, moving them up to 18th in the table, while winless United sit 13th.