'Not the most wonderful time of the year for some:' Twitter reacts as Manchester United and Jose Mourinho part ways

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect following a dismal start to the season, the Premier League side announced on Tuesday.

United have made their worst start to a league season in 28 years and were beaten 3-1 by arch-rivals Liverpoool on Sunday in what was Mourinho’s final match in charge of the club.

“Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect,” United said in a statement.

Expectedly, the statement saw football fans, players and pundits descend on social media in ravenous hordes, Twitter fingers hastily typing out gleeful shots at the expense of the Portuguese manager. Whilst a minority of the responses to his termination were sympathetic, Mourinho's acerbic personality has left him with few fans in the footballing world, and that was evident in some of the tweets we decided to compile for your viewing pleasure:

Although a few Manchester United fans wrote heartfelt messages for Mourinho, the majority of tweets were slightly more celebratory in nature.

Manchester United fans after Mourinho's sacking is announced: https://t.co/W8HO0QDTC6

— Manasi Pathak (@ThatUnitedLady) December 18, 2018

Jose sacked!

United fans right now...pic.twitter.com/etPBbI6mF2

— 90min (@90min_Football) December 18, 2018

A number of people pointed out a significant shift in the values Manchester United has often held above all else, stating that Mourinho's departure was contrary to what many have come to expect from the club.

Feels like a poignant moment for Manchester United, and one they have to get right. Jose Mourinho has been the most successful manager of the post-Ferguson era but he’s still failed. One individual has been at the head of three failed appointments now.

— Chris Winterburn (@cmwinterburn) December 18, 2018

Busy day ahead. All I'll say here for now is that Mourinho was always a bad fit for a club of #MUFC's traditions and supposed values -- as it proved. And that the modern Manchester United, where those values no longer exist in boardroom or dressing-room, is an absolute shambles

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) December 18, 2018

Mourinho has provided more than his fair share of viral moments in an eventful spell in charge of Manchester United, giving fans an abundance of ammunition to lob his way.

How many times have you been sacked in England now Mourinho? pic.twitter.com/MkaTDJp7Pd

— FootyThrowbacks (@FootyThrowbacks) December 18, 2018

Of the many things that can be said about Mourinho's departure, no one can say they didn't see it coming, with people mentioning that it was long overdue.

With @ManUtd 19 points behind @LFC after 17 games, with the vast majority of players playing way below their best...and dour football to boot. Given Mourinho was allowed to spend hundreds of millions on those players the split seemed inevitable.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 18, 2018

So having spread plenty of misery #Mourinho has finally been put out of his. In no other business - and at few other clubs - could a leading figure have behaved in such a manner for so long without sanction.

— Jon Champion (@JonChampionJC) December 18, 2018

Several people were rather quick to point out the fact that Mourinho has a record of being pushed out the door right around the festive season.

Mourinho has been sacked 4 times in his career:

1⃣ Benfica - 5th December 2000
2⃣ Chelsea - 20th September 2007
3⃣ Chelsea - 17th December 2015
4⃣ Manchester United- 18th December 2018

Festive season has never been for poor Jose Mourinho pic.twitter.com/MiRCpiyZHO

— Maleka (@Maleka_Moroane) December 18, 2018

17/12/2015: José Mourinho is sacked by Chelsea.

18/12/2018: José Mourinho is sacked by Manchester United.

Not the most wonderful time of the year for some. 🎄 pic.twitter.com/OrGBG9Z8Bx

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) December 18, 2018

Mourinho's on and off battles against his players have been followed closely by the media over the course of the past six months, and Twitter users figured a certain Paul Labile Pogba would be particularly relieved after reading Tuesday's news.

😏 🕺 Paul Pogba hearing the news the Jose Mourinho's been sacked this morning...

📱 Insta: paulpogba#MUFC pic.twitter.com/qjqVEMIYui

— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) December 18, 2018

Pogba, Martial, Bailly & Rashford #TouchlineFracas pic.twitter.com/23tWCBgVC4

— Soff (@Dan_Soff) December 18, 2018

Whilst United explicitly stated that Michael Carrick will take over as interim manager until the club can figure out a slightly longer (?) short-term replacement, it definitely didn't stop people from letting their imaginations run wild.

Just a reminder, the original contract Manchester United gave to David Moyes still hasn't expired yet. pic.twitter.com/ZPxKwEHWXL

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) December 18, 2018

There’s only one man for the job... #Pardiola #MUFC #Mourinho pic.twitter.com/IoVd2nN4c9

— James Dodd (@JamesDoddFOX) December 18, 2018

Spurs fans 'accompanying' Pochettino to work right now...#Mourinho pic.twitter.com/QMA8v5M6fn

— 🎅 Ed Smithmas 🎅 (@edsongsofpraise) December 18, 2018

Looks like it’s happening. Call to Fireman Sam to save United from relegation. #jose #mufc #mourinho pic.twitter.com/L9yW1TqVzw

— Eamonn (@dubscouse) December 18, 2018

And while this has been an important development, a few people chose to remind everyone that there are bigger things at hand, namely the IPL Auction.

Mourinho's just been picked up by KKR #IPLAuction

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) December 18, 2018

With inputs from Agencies.