Jose Mourinho leaves Manchester United after worst season start in three decades

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has left his job amid the club's worst start to the season in almost three decades.

The Premier League team, which is currently languishing in sixth place, said the Portuguese manager was leaving with immediate effect after two and a half years in the job.

The club was beaten 3-1 by league leaders Liverpool on Sunday.

“The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future,” Manchester United said in a statement.

“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.”

The team is sixth in the table 19 points off the top, having taken 26 points from 17 games.

The club's shares rose nearly 3 per cent to $17.81 as markets opened in New York.