José Mourinho behaving at Manchester United exactly as critics said he would | Paul Wilson

The danger with hiring the Portuguese, it was said, is he becomes the story at the expense of your club. That is what seems to be happening at Old Trafford

There is no Premier League rule that forbids managers dismissed from the dugout coming to speak about their treatment afterwards – when Arsène Wenger was so photogenically sent to the Old Trafford stands seven years ago he still made it to the press room at the end of the game – so José Mourinho opting to send his assistant, Rui Faria, in his place suggests the Manchester United manager was probably wary of making a bad situation worse.

It is possible that at some point in the immediate aftermath of the goalless draw against Burnley Mourinho got the chance to have another look at the penalty claim that was apparently the cause of his strop. He would have seen Matteo Darmian go to ground dramatically under very slight contact from Jon Flanagan, and he might also have noted that if a foul did take place it was initiated outside the box. In other words, Mark Clattenburg’s decision was justified and Mourinho might have felt a bit foolish having to explain why he had reacted so angrily.

Related: José Mourinho sent to stands as Manchester United are held by Burnley

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