For the third time in his career Jose Mourinho has been sacked from his Premier League job before Christmas.

With United currently 19 points off top spot and after the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, the United board made the decision on Tuesday morning to terminate his contract.

According to reports, United will announce a caretaker boss in the coming days who will take charge of the club for the rest of the season.

As always rumours are circulating about who will take the reins, here we take you through the bookmakers' favourites. From former players to current Premier League managers, the list is expansive.

Diego Simeone 50/1

Premier League fans would welcome the arrival of Diego Simeone, the Atletico Madrid boss would be brilliant entertainment on the touchline, with his expansive football.

However, the Atletico boss is tied into a decent contract with the La Liga club.

Marcelo Bielsa 50/1

Bielsa has made a real impact since his arrival at Leeds United this season.

But surely he will give it the whole season to see if he can get the Yorkshire club back to the Premier League.

Didier Deschamps 50/1

The double World Cup winner is surely happy with his role, having only won the biggest prize in world football five months ago.

The United board will be looking for someone of his pedigree to take over from Jose though...

Luis Enrique 50/1

The former Barcelona boss has only recently been named as Spain's national team manager, so it is unlikely he will give that up for United.

As a former winner of the Champions League with Barcelona, the United board will surely be interested to speak with Enrique, should he be swayed.

Massimillano Allegri 50/1

This might as well be 5000/1, with Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, Allegri and Juventus have the best chance in years of finally winning the Champions League.

Perhaps if Juventus were to win it in May, Allegri may be interested to the switch to Manchester in the summer?

Roberto Martinez 50/1

Yet another national side boss who has been linked with a move to Manchester.

After a successful World Cup in which his Belgian side finished 3rd, the former Everton boss will surely be staying in Brussels.

Joachim Low 40/1

We've had a few national side managers linked with the job, but have reasons to stay.

Germany boss Joachim Low doesn't, after winning the tournament in 2014, he oversaw Germany's worst World Cup finals for decades in Russia 2018.

Sir Alex Ferguson 33/1

Like Arsene Wenger, at his age and health it is very unlikely the Manchester United legend will make an incredible return.

To be fair, he does still go to every game, he might as well be down their on the touchline inspiring the players.

Gareth Southgate 33/1

The England manager has only just signed a new contract with the FA so it is unlikely he will want to make the move.

United are looking for a manager to bring some order to the vast array of youthful talent they have, just look at what Southgate has achieved with the national team.

Nuno Espirito Santo 33/1

Nuno is receiving a lot of plaudits for the work he has achieved with Wolves, especially his development of promising young talent.

But there is a reason he is tipped at 33/1, does he have enough experience for United?

 

Carlos Queiroz 20/1

Queiroz lead his Iran national team to their best ever performance in a World Cup finals this summer, managing to achieve four points in a group with Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

The Portuguese manager was Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant for five years, so has very useful knowledge.

Brendan Rodgers 16/1

It is fair to say Brendan Rodgers and Celtic aren't having the best of season's, despite already having won the Scottish Cup.

The former Liverpool boss has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park in recent months, but surely Old Trafford is unrealistic.

Eddie Howe 16/1

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has been continuously linked with a move away from the south coast in recent seasons thanks to his impressive start to life as a Premier League manager, keeping Bournemouth in the division.

We can't help but think he will make the move soon, could United be his next big task?

 

Arsene Wenger 16/1

No wouldn't this be a turn up for the books!

The veteran manager has publicly announced he intends to return to management in 2019, but surely he won't put himself through more Premier League turmoil.

Imagine the Arsenal fans' response.

Leonardo Jardim 16/1

The former Monaco boss has a terrible start to the 2018/19 season and was replaced by Thierry Henry just months into the season.

Would the Old Trafford faithful appreciate Monaco's cast-offs?

Ryan Giggs 12/1

The Manchester United legend was on the coaching staff during Louis Van Gaal's reign, with many calling for him to be appointed full time boss.

Recently named the boss of the Wales national team, it is unlikely he will leave his own country for United, maybe one day, but not so soon.

Guus Hiddink 12/1

Hiddink won the FA Cup in his first spell as Chelsea boss in 2009 and also replaced Jose Mourinho in an interim role in 2015.

Just three months ago the Dutchman was appointed as China's U21 boss but surely if United came calling he would be on the first flight out of Beijing.

Antonio Conte 12/1

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FA Cup Final - Chelsea vs Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 19, 2018     Chelsea manager Antonio Conte reacts     REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo

A Premier League winner with Chelsea, Antonio Conte is yet to announce his next step after he was sacked by Chelsea at the end of last season.

United need a manager with pedigree, someone who is going to rile up the players, Conte is perfect.

Nicky Butt 12/1

Currently working in the academy set-up, the former United midfielder is surely in line for the job.

Like the other former players in our list, Butt has a brilliant understanding of what it means to represent United.

Mauricio Pochettino 7/1

Spurs fans should be very worried as a lot of pundits are talking up Mauricio Pochettino's chances of getting a call from the United board.

The Argentine is yet to rule it out, but surely the fact he only signed a new five-year contract with the club, in May this year will help ease fans' worries.

Michael Carrick 7/1

Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester United

If you are looking for the most logical appointment, look no further than Michael Carrick.

The recently retired midfielder has been working with Jose Mourinho as his assistant and has been a part of the club since 2006.

Zinedine Zidane 5/1

The Frenchman shocked us all when he announced he would be stepping down from his role at Real Madrid after winning a third successive Champions League title last season.

Many believe he has United in his sights and was always tipped to takeover Mourinho.

Laurent Blanc 4/6

The former Manchester United defender hasn't had a managerial job since he left Paris St.Germain in June 2016.

He will surely be interested in an opportunity to return to Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 1/2

The Norwegian has had relative success as a manager since he hung up his playing boots with Molde.

Solskjaer was Cardiff manager for the end of the 2013/14 season, so has some Premier League experience, but will he leave Molde for a second time?