London | José Mourinho's relationship with Manchester United reached irretrievable breakdown a long time ago but the Old Trafford hierarchy finally served the divorce papers this week as the world's biggest club sacked the game's most famous manager.

The decision came with United having laboured to their worst start for 28 years playing dull, defence-minded football, with Mourinho cutting an ever-angrier figure after each setback, and Sunday's 3-1 loss at Liverpool was one humiliation too far.

Reuters