Manchester United are prepared to sack Jose Mourinho over the Christmas programme if results nosedive.

The Daily Mail says the manner of United's capitulation at Liverpool on Sunday has left Mourinho under huge pressure again following the club's worst start to a top-flight season in 28 years.

United face Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle over Christmas – four winnable games that could also be a potential banana skin for the 55-year-old.

Mourinho has appeared to be in trouble before this season and survived, but he is now odds-on to become the next Premier League boss to be axed.

It's understood that United would have to pay Mourinho one year's salary of £18million to get rid of him, and up to £22.5m if he is still in the Champions League or in contention for a top-four place.