Burnley manager Sean Dyche has admitted that it is difficult to accept the 3-1 loss to Manchester United after an impressive display from his side at Old Trafford.

Despite getting the better of the hosts for long spells, two Chris Smalling goals and a penalty from Robin van Persie condemned the Clarets to defeat as they missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone.

Dyche claimed that he was pleased with the display from his side, but conceded that his team need to pick up points when playing so well.

"This game does kick you in the rear sometimes, and that's what it did tonight," the Burnley boss told reporters. "I thought we were outstanding for most of the game, the first half particularly.

"I think everyone in the stadium was amazed that they came out of the first half 2-1 up after the chances we created, the quality of chances we created, the quality of our football and our goal.

"But we're getting hurt for the details at the moment and it's happened to us a few times this season. That's the growth we need in these players – to smell danger at this level, because games can turn quickly and they can turn almost on nothing."

Burnley have not won any of their previous four games.