On a fine sunny August day, the red army that is Manchester United rolled into Turf Moor bringing the hosts Burnley FC an early taste of the big time in the Premiership.

A full house contained an air of expectation at odds to the norm.

For this was no usual encounter with the visitors never as vulnerable - even to the recently promoted Claret and Blue minnows that one would see easily brushed aside under the bygone Ferguson era.

Manchester United boasted an array of big money signings with recently added 59.6m Argentine Angel Di Maria representing more than Burnley FC have ever spent in their entire history.

This truly was a David v Goliath affair.

Besides the unfamiliar white away strip worn by Manchester United the lay man could easily have mistook the opening and great parts of the game little different than a Championship match as both any adventures in opposing halves had a sense of a neutral aura, fluffed out by each defence.

Led by England captain Wayne Rooney United controlled most of the possession throughout the match and proved extremely adept at swift, sharp attacks which all but fizzled out by the stubborn home defence. Burnley’s organisation, high work rate and productivity in closing the visitors amidst a tense 90 minutes resulted in a well earned 0-0 draw.

What was witnessed by the capacity 25,000+ crowd was Burnley continuing from whence they left off last year with their dogged never say die attitude and no nonsense basic football, as an organised, well drilled unit goaded on by the constant touchline directions from manager Sean Dyche.

As for the great Manchester United team new manager Lois Van Gall chose to sit through the entire 90 minutes expecting what we have all come to likewise.

The end product sadly was a far cry from the United we have seen in the past decade.

This was a team devoid of experienced leadership, sense of purpose but more than made up by quality of play which shone like a beacon and intermittently threatened to steam roll.

The overall investment talent weighed heavily in their favour but far too often was equally matched by the work ethic instilled by Sean Dyche.

The post match press conference heard Van Gall explaining 'It will take time for the team to gel. We will get there. Time will tell'.

The recent addition on loan prior to the the transfer deadline of Columbian Radamel Falcao adds a further quality to a starting line up which on paper would send shudders to any opposing team room.

But the United of today boasts world class players far and wide. Languages, cultures and tactics from far reaching playing fields. Van Gall must gel soonest if the masses are to continue to believe.

United need to unite for 90 minutes with a killer instinct that has sadly faded since Ferguson's departure.

As for Burnley, a well deserved first point and a point to prove echoed by the loud chants of “We support our local team” spoke volumes one fine August day at Turf Moor.