Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1063613
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 DECEMBER 2018 20 FOOTBALL SPORTS JOSE Mourinho has been sacked as Manchester Unit- ed manager in a face-to-face meeting, the club announced yesterday. Sky sources say he was dis- missed at the club's Carrington training ground by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward on Tuesday. The club said he had left with immediate effect, adding they "would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Man- chester 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 searches for a new full-time manager. It is understood Manchester United coach Michael Carrick will take charge for the next 48 hours, after which an external appointment will be made for the caretaker manager post. Manchester United have made their worst start to a league sea- son since 1990-91 and sit sixth in the Premier League. Mourinho's side lost 3-1 to Liverpool on Sunday, as two de- flected Xherdan Shaqiri strikes ensured the Reds remained top of the table. The result left United 11 points off the top four and 19 points be- hind Liverpool. The Portuguese, 55, was in charge at Old Trafford for two- and-a-half years and won the EFL Cup and Europa League in his first full season. Despite this, he rarely appeared settled and lived in a city centre hotel throughout his tenure. The team, which is expected to at least challenge for the league title every season, finished second last season but were 19 points be- hind rivals Manchester City. In January, Mourinho signed a new two-year contract commit- ting him to the club until 2020, but over the summer his rela- tionship with the United board began to disintegrate. Despite being allowed to spend more than £300m on players up to that point, he complained about not being backed in the transfer market. He had wanted at least one new centre-back but did not get one, with the club signing £50m midfielder Fred, Porto youngster Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant as a back-up goalkeeper. Former United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said the writing was on the wall over the summer after the board "failed to back him over a couple of signings". "At that point you're finished as a manager," he added. Mourinho's failure to get the best out of record signing Paul Pogba began to affect the rest of the squad as United started this season with a run of two defeats in the first three matches. Mourinho reportedly called the World Cup winner a "virus" after the side's 2-2 draw with Southampton earlier this month, while he has also publicly criti- cised several other players in- cluding Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford. Midfielder Pogba posted a pic- ture of himself soon after Mour- inho's sacking, with a half smile on his face and the message: "Caption this". The post was quickly deleted. Several leading football voices criticised Mourinho's time in charge, with Gary Lineker and Michael Owen saying his depar- ture was "inevitable". Former Red Devil Rio Ferdi- nand said it was time for "fresh ideas" while ex-striker Louis Saha said he thought Mourinho did not "communicate correctly" with players. Despite the criticism, the play- ers hailed his achievements along with a string of others, in- cluding Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, who said his now former rival was "an outstanding man- ager". Among those being tipped for the top job is Mauricio Pochet- tino - but the Tottenham boss played down the suggestion. He told reporters: "I cannot an- swer this type of question. These type of rumours happen in this business, in football. "A lot of rumours happen, but it is not my business what hap- pened at another club. I am so focused in trying to deliver my best job at this football club. "I want to send my best wish- es to him [Mourinho]. I feel so sorry, because I know him very well, I have a very good relation- ship with him. He is a very good friend. It is sad news what hap- pened today." Manchester United sack manager Jose Mourinho in face-to-face meeting Manchester United have made their worst start to a league season since 1990-91 and sit sixth in the Premier League