Premier League: Manchester United part ways with manager Jose Mourinho after disappointing spell of results

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect, the English team announced on Tuesday.

File image of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. AFP

According to a statement issued by the club, a new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season.

"Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect," the statement read.

"The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester 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 conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager."

This was the third season for Mourinho at the club. He previously helped them win the Europa League 2016-17, League Cup and also the FA Community Shied in 2016. This season, Mourinho's team has under-performed, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, with five losses in 17 matches.

The 55-year-old Portuguese's last match in charge was the 3-1 defeat by league leaders Liverpool on Sunday which left them 19 points behind their opponents.

It is United's worst start in the league since 1990 and even his ambition of reaching the top four and a Champions League qualification spot is in danger with the club 11 points adrift of those places.

Despite the club having reached the Champions League knockout stages – they face an intimidating last-16 tie with Paris Saint-Germain – a mix of the results, dressing-room discord and criticism of the board's transfer policy proved potent factors in the decision to dismiss him.

With inputs from AFP