(CNN) Manchester United has fired Jose Mourinho following the club's worst ever Premier League start.

The club currently languishes in sixth place in the league, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool after Sunday's insipid 3-1 defeat at Anfield.

A temporary caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season while the club searches for his successor.

Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho During Jose Mourinho's coaching career the third season in charge of the clubs he has managed has always provided tricky ... Hide Caption 1 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho With United trailing English Premier League leaders Liverpool by 19 points, Mourinho was fired by United on Tuesday. Hide Caption 2 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho The final straw for United's decision makers was the club's 3-1 defeat at rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Hide Caption 3 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho For a club that has won 20 league titles, the 2018/2019 season has been United's worst ever Premier League start. Hide Caption 4 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho During the season there's been reported friction between Mourinho and United's star player Paul Pogba. The World Cup winner was one of United's unused substitutes in the defeat by Liverpool. Hide Caption 5 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho One of the criticisms that Mourinho has faced during his Old Trafford tenure is the style of football his team has played. While Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have delivered stylish brands of football, Mourinho's United hasn't been very entertaining to watch. Hide Caption 6 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho In October, stewards at Stamford Bridge had to hold back Mourinho after he was incensed by a member of the home team's support staff — Marco Ianni — crossing into the United technical area. Hide Caption 7 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho Mourinho gestures to the crowd after United beat Juventus in a Champions League group stage game. United's qualification for the competition's knockout stages has been the one silver lining this season. Hide Caption 8 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho United will face Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 round of the Champions League. Hide Caption 9 of 10 Photos: Manchester United fires Jose Mourinho During Mourinho's first season in charge at Old Trafford, United won the League Cup as well as the Europa League. Here Mourinho is pictured celebrating the Europa League final win against Ajax in Stockholm. Hide Caption 10 of 10

"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 statement said.

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