Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward reportedly decided to sack Jose Mourinho after receiving a phone call from a senior player demanding that the manager leave the club.

Mourinho parted company with the Red Devils last week just two days after their 3-1 loss to Liverpool, which left them 19 points off the leaders in the Premier League table after just 17 games.

The Portuguese's tactics, style of play and relationships with other staff at the club - including his players - are all understood to have been major factors in his dismissal.

The Times now reports that a key player was the catalyst for the decision, having phoned Woodward to plead for Mourinho to be sacked following the defeat to Liverpool.

Woodward then had a late-night phone call with the Glaziers in America which is understood to have finally sealed Mourinho's fate.

The player in question is left unnamed in the report, although it claims that he was well used by Mourinho throughout his tenure and that he is a key member of the side.

The report also claims that some of the squad celebrated Mourinho's departure, having fallen out with the manager.