Michael Carrick to be interim Manchester United manager for next 48 hours

Jose Mourinho has left Manchester United

The Portuguese coach was sacked by the club after two and a half years in the job. Mourinho's reign became increasingly difficult and the club appears unlikely to finish in the top four this season. The 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday appears to have been the final straw for the United board. The club's statement, released on Tuesday morning, read: "Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect. 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." Michael Carrick took training on Tuesday morning. The former United midfielder will be appointed as acting interim manager for the next 48-hours. An external interim manager will then be appointed until the end of the season.