2018-19 Premier League - Manchester United Sack Manager Jose Mourinho Tuesday Dec 18,2018

Manchester United have sacked manager Jose Mourinho (55)after identifying a catalogue of failings at the club. 

The Portuguese took over in May 2016 and led United to League Cup and Europa League titles but they are 19 points behind league leaders Liverpool.

The club decided a change was needed after no progress with results or style despite spending £400m on 11 players.

The club also says the new manager will understand the philosophy of the club, including its attacking traditions.

It is understood that players and staff are not happy after a disappointing and unsettling period.

Manchester United are sixth in the Premier League, but closer to the relegation zone than leaders Liverpool, who beat them 3-1 on Sunday Dec 16,2018

A United statement said: "A caretaker-manager will be appointed until the end of the season while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager.

Liverpool's biggest Premier League win over United - the stats

• Liverpool are now 19 points ahead of United - their biggest ever lead over them after the first 17 games of an English top-flight season (based on relevant points for a win rules).
• Liverpool have recorded their biggest Premier League victory over Manchester United at Anfield since also winning 3-1 in March 2011.
• Manchester United have now conceded 29 goals in the Premier League this season, one more than they did in the entirety of the 2017-18 campaign and the most goals they've conceded at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1962-63.
• Liverpool recorded 36 shots against Manchester United - the most the Red Devils have faced in a Premier League match since Opta started recording shot data in 2003-04.
• Manchester United have picked up 26 points after their first 17 Premier League games, their worst points haul in the top-flight at this stage since 1990-91 (also 26 points).
• Xherdan Shaqiri has become just the second Liverpool player to score at least two goals in their first ever match against Manchester United for the Reds, and the first since Nigel Clough did so back in January 1994.
• Liverpool's Alisson has made as many errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season as Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius combined in 2017-18 (2).