NEW Burnley boss Brian Laws described his first game as "a fantastic experience", despite a harsh 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

The Clarets had shut out Manchester United for over an hour, and could have taken the lead through two clear-cut chances for Steven Fletcher in the first half and David Nugent in the second.

Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney wrapped up the win for the Reds with two goals in five second half minutes, before Mame Diouf completed the scoreline with a stoppage time header.

Burnley hoped for a deserved consolation goal at the death, but late penalty appeals for a Gary Neville handball were ignored.

Nevertheless, Laws insisted he had few complaints overall, and thanked supporters for the standing ovation that greeted his second Clarets debut.

The former full back’s appointment as Owen Coyle’s successor had initially received a mixed response.

But when the 48-year-old, who began his illustrious playing career at Turf Moor, bypassed the dugout to applaud the travelling fans before taking his seat, they raised the roof to show they are right behind their new manager.

“The fans had a magnificent reception for me and I fully appreciate that,” he said.

“It’s reciprocal. I can’t ask for any more than that.

"I thought they outsang the Manchester United fans, and that's incredible to hear.

"It was a fantastic experience."

Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Laws admitted the first impressions of his players were positive too.

"As long as they continue in that same vein and give everything they've got there is a winning formula there. There are no issues or problems," he said.

"The players were excellent and gave me their all.

"I know Owen's a very popular manager with the players but they've moved on; that's what happens.

"I couldn't ask for any more from the players. They showed the spirit that they have in the camp, there were some excellent performances and some real tests of character.

"(David) Edgar had to play because of the injuries to our centre halves - we had three centre halves out - yet his performance was outstanding for his first game, against some real quality players."

Steven Thompson had his longest league run-out of the season when top scorer Fletcher limped off after a poor challenge by Antonio Valencia just after the half-hour.

X-rays showed no serious damage to the Scotland international, and he is expected to be fit for Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie at Reading.

But of Thompson's performance from the bench, Laws added: "He's put in a performance and worked extremely hard.

"He had some really nice touches and kept the ball high up the pitch for us, which is important so that we can create with (Chris) Eagles, who was a thorn in their side for long periods.

"They came here with no fear, and it showed.

"You come to Manchester United and know you're going to come under a lot of pressure because they're a damn good side, there's no question about that.

"But I thought the counter-attacking was excellent."

However, Laws pinpointed areas he is determined to work on in his first full week with the squad.

"What is evident, particularly from the second half and last half an hour, is that we're a little bit gung-ho," he noted.

"We do overload when we're attacking and it leaves us vulnerable when we don't finish the move off and the ball stays in play.

"We're under the cosh in that moment and that's where I think we've got a little bit of work to be done.

"I wouldn't want to squash their enthusiasm or the fact that we want to keep going forward and we want to get a goal, but there are times and places.

"Particularly away from home I think you have to be a little but more patient.

"At home, I think they can have the freedom of doing that but certainly not away from home and I think that's reflected all season."