BURNLEY, England -- Jose Mourinho has said Marcus Rashford was naive to get involved in an altercation with Phil Bardsley that resulted in the Manchester United forward being shown the first red card of his career.
Rashford lasted just 10 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute during the 2-0 win over Burnley before being given his marching orders by referee Jon Moss for a supposed heatbutt on the former United defender.
"I don't know, I didn't watch," Mourinho told a news conference when asked about Rashford's card at Turf Moor. "Moss had a good game, good performance, the same as the the two assistants and in that action the only thing I can see is the experience of Bardsley, 20 years in football against the impulse and naivety of a young kid, only three years in football.
"Harsh, I don't know. It could have been a yellow card for each."
Following the match, Rashford took to social media to apologise to United supporters, writing on Instagram that his emotions got the better of him.
Rashford's red was the second controversial moment of the afternoon after a plane bearing the message "Ed Woodward - specialist in failure" had flown over the stadium before kickoff.
But after Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the first half to end a run of two straight defeats, Mourinho suggested only the result will have mattered to the executive vice-chairman.
"You know, in the match I am not looking to the sky -- unless I am asking something for the guy [God] to give me help. "I didn't see planes, but Ed Woodward won this afternoon. He won 2-0."
At the final whistle, the United manager made a point of applauding the travelling fans -- handing his jacket to one supporter -- who were vocal in their support throughout the game signing "Jose Mourinho" and "Mourinho's red and white army."
"I think we start winning this match because of Old Trafford after Spurs," said the Portuguese. "We lose at home, if the fans react bad, the team loses confidence, the team feels pressure and the next match is more difficult.
"We lost at home, the fans were amazing and understood the performance was good, the result was bad so it was not a sad week.
"I feel a bit sorry we didn't score a couple of goals in front of them because it would be magic for them. The manager is not important, the team is important. The manager does not play.
"I have miles and miles and miles on the touchline to cope with every different reaction from the crowd.
"I am really happy with the performance, the result and to give that good feeling to the fans. They are responsible for the week."