Jose Mourinho axed because 'top Man Utd star phoned Ed Woodward to demand his sacking'

Man United Chief Executive Ed Woodward sacked Mourinho following the 3-1 loss to Liverpool [Courtesy]

It's been nearly a week since Jose Mourinho was sacked by Manchester United.

And now more detail about the circumstances around his departure are being revealed.

The Portuguese was sensationally axed just 48 hours after the Red Devils' 3-1 loss to Liverpool.

Mourinho thought he was arriving at Carrington to discuss Manchester United's January transfer plans with Ed Woodward on Tuesday - but got a nasty shock.

And the Sunday Times now claim a key United player was the catalyst for his departure.

Mourinho thought he was arriving at Carrington to discuss Manchester United's January transfer plans with Ed Woodward on Tuesday - but got a nasty shock [Courtesy]

They claim the player - well used by United throughout Mourinho's tenure - lost patience after the Liverpool loss and phoned Woodward to tell him the Portuguese must go.

This led to a chain reaction of events with late night phone calls to the Glaziers in America sealing his fate.

The Times do not name the player, only saying he is a key member of the side. They also claim some of United’s squad celebrated his deparutre.

Former United forward and 1999 treble hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed caretaker boss a day later - and led the side to a free-flowing 5-1 victory over Cardiff.

The Norwegian will only be in the role until the end of the season with United looking to appoint a permanent manager next summer.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as United's No.1 target.

Manchester United's share price increased by nearly six per cent after Mourinho was sacked as the club's manager.

When the Portuguese's two-and-a-half-year reign came to an end share prices in Manchester United plc rose on the New York Stock Exchange later on in the day.

After closing at 17.30 US dollars (£13.65) on Monday, the share price steadily increased to 18.39 (£14.51).

The value of the shares have fluctuated during United's troubled campaign on the pitch, which sees the club sit sixth in the Premier League, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool.

It peaked at 27.20 dollars (£21.47) on August 27, but fell 22 per cent to 21.12 (£16.67) by October 1.

United's run of four games unbeaten in the league - from a 3-2 win over Newcastle to a 2-1 win against Bournemouth on November 3 - saw the share price rise before a further decline to a low of 17.25 dollars (£13.64) last week.