Gary Neville knew Jose Mourinho was under fire at Man Utd in pre-season
The former Red Devils defender said it has been 'terrible' watching United over recent weeks and he was not surprised when Mourinho was sacked this morning
GARY NEVILLE revealed Jose Mourinho's sacking by Manchester United was on the cards since pre-season.
The former Red Devils defender was alarmed by The Special One's falling out with his players and the board even before the new campaign got underway.
Since the troubles in the summer, Mourinho had been on a downward spiral until he was finally put out of his Manchester misery this morning.
Speaking on Sky Sports' The Debate, Neville said: "Was I shocked he went? No, this has been coming. Since pre-season.
"The minute you saw confrontation between the players and the board you knew it would be a mess. In these last few weeks it's been terrible to watch on all sides.
"It's been messy and scabby. The club has been crawling on its hands and knees from minute to minute from hour to hour for the last two months and it's been awful to watch for anyone who likes United.
"If he doesn’t get what he wants then he lets you know about it, and in the three-year period he has always had problems. It's his three-year project syndrome.
"From the first day of pre-season this season you just thought ‘oh no’ and then they gave him a new contract.
"That put the board in a state of weakness. You either back your boss completely or you get rid of him. United were half-way houses."
Mourinho was once again sacked in his third season at a club - just as he was at Real Madrid and during his second spell at Chelsea.
Latest Manchester United news
But unlike at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and back at Chelsea, he was unable to deliver a league title at Manchester United.
Neville added: "Three excellent managers have failed at United. Jose has won wherever he has been.
"This was the one where he was backed to win the title. I never thought he would leave the club without winning the Prem if he was backed.
"United backed him for a bit. But Man City are not just beating United on the pitch but off the pitch. Same with Liverpool."
Mourinho's spat with Paul Pogba was the most public and high-profile during his time at Old Trafford.
Who to blame is unclear but the pair clearly did not see eye-to-eye: Mourinho could not get the best out of the £89million player and the World Cup winner did not enjoy life under The Special One.
The Frenchman's social media post less than an hour after the confirmation this morning was another low blow.
And one Neville did not take too kindly to.
Pogba said: "Caption this," accompanying a photo of him with a wry smile but Neville responded.
The former defender said: "'Caption This' You do one as well!"
He then said tonight: "No doubt there has been discontent in the dressing room, more than just Pogba.
"They all look unhappy and and don’t look like they are behind the plan. But Jose also lost faith in the players and didn’t think they were good enough.
"Jose has lost his job and Pogba and his people put an Insta out. Don’t fall for that coincidence plea that it was meant to go out today. That’s garbage. Absolute garbage.
"I think Pogba has got a big personality. Great leader. I think he would have loved to come out earlier on social media and show what he thought of Jose and what he thinks of the club behind the scenes.
"Jose probably thought also that Pogba would be hell to manage when he won the World Cup. But to dance on the grave of a manager who has just been sacked is out of order."