A new era has started at Manchester United.

After just two and a half seasons in charge, Jose Mourinho was given the axe by the Red Devils following a woeful start to the season.

United are currently sixth in the table, 19 points of league leaders Liverpool after their 3-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

Mourinho's departure has appeared inevitable ever since the Red Devils' disastrous summer transfer window.

Brazilian midfielder Fred was the only high-profile acquisition, with Ed Woodward turning down a number of Mourinho's requests.

The boss was desperate to land a top-class centre-back and a winger in the mould of Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic, who he had failed to sign in the summer of 2017 as well.

Well, it seems the whole Mourinho saga has prompted United's board into action, because they now have a rather exciting plan for the January window.

And just to rub salt in Mourinho's wounds, they actually informed the Portuguese of the plan just hours before he was sacked.

According to The Sun, the ex-United manager was informed that the club are planning a big-money raid for Juventus winger Douglas Costa.

The club will also make money available to sign a top-class central defender, with Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld - a player Mourinho is a big fan of - a primary target.

An inside source told The Sun: “Now they have money! They are trying to buy Douglas Costa from Juve and one centre-back.”

It does make you wonder, why was this not sanctioned back in the summer?

Mourinho is a proven winner as a manager and with the right backing, 2018/19 could perhaps have been a success under his rule.

It's easy to forget that the Portuguese guided United to second-place in the Premier League table, beating Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea in the process.

Woodward's transfer stubbornness certainly looks foolish now.