HUGE: Manchester United sack Jose Mourinho

The writing was on the wall for Jose Mourinho but no one would have seen this come so soon. Manchester United have sacked Jose Mourinho as their manager two days after the Red Devils' 3-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield. 

"Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect. The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future. A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager," said the club in a statement.  

The pressure was mounting on the Portuguese after United's abysmal start to the 2018-19 Premier League season, managing only 26 points from 17 games, 19 behind Liverpool, who currently sit on top of the table. The defeat against Liverpool has proved to be final nail in the coffin for Jose Mourinho, who joined the club in May 2016. 

Apart from United's poor start to the season, the continously strained relationship between Mourinho and Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward could be a big reason for the Portuguese's ouster. Mourinho, on multiple occasions, publicly expressed his discontent over the club's recruitment strategy in the transfer window and its failed attempts to sign Tottenham Hotspur's Toby Alderweireld and Leicester City's Harry Maguire. 

The Portuguese, according to multiple reports emanating from within the club, had lost the confidence of the dressing room and some players in particular, including star midfielder Paul Pogba, who the former reportedly called a 'virus.' Mourinho leaves the club having won two trophies including the EFL Club (2016-17) and the Europa League (2016-17). Former midfielder Michael Carrick is being touted as the top contender to be United's caretaker manager till the end of the season.