Jose Mourinho has been sacked as Manchester United boss, nearly three years to the day since his dismissal from Chelsea.

The Portuguese boss has been under intense pressure ever since the end of last season when United managed a second-place finish in both the Premier League and FA Cup.

Mourinho was given a new contract at the start of the year but he oversaw a summer where he quite clearly wasn't given the players he wanted.

It was no secret that he desired a new centre-back but moves for the likes of Harry Maguire and Diego Godin never progressed past the interest stage.

Heading into the season with a squad that wasn't quite complete certainly appeared to have an effect on United and they sit 19 points off arch-rivals Liverpool as we head towards Christmas.

United have looked so unlikely to challenge for trophies this season that many thought Mourinho would be safe until the end of the season, their poor form making a salvation job impossible.

But Tuesday morning saw Mourinho relieved of his duties after United clearly decided that enough was enough.

Ed Woodward apparently did the deed in person and in doing so gave Mourinho the club's perspective, with five sticking points proving the end.

The Evening Standard mentions all five, with their poor league position and results proving to be the obvious two.

Beyond that, the source claims that United's hierarchy disliked Mourinho's style of play - long a problem among fans - and transfer have also played a big role in the sacking.

They expected far more progress from the roughly £400m invested in the squad with one issue surrounding that proving particularly interesting.

United maintain that Mourinho chose every player that arrived at the club under his tenure, despite his claims otherwise, and that only makes the massive investment stand out further.

All in all, Mourinho can have few complaints as United search for yet another new boss to bring back the glory years.