MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho has revealed that he knows the names of the players who got Aitor Karanka the sack from Middlesbrough.
The 43-year-old was relieved of his duties on Thursday morning after a discussion with club owner Steve Gibson.
The decision ended the Spaniard’s three-year reign at the Riverside, where he had overseen promotion to the top flight last summer, but has endured a slump in form in recent months.
Mourinho admitted to speaking to Karanka, his former assistant at Real Madrid, hours after the decision, and suggests he is aware of the players that pushed their boss towards the exit door.
When asked about any influence some ‘Boro players may have had on Karanka’s departure, the Red Devils manager said: “I know the names.”
This comes after it was revealed Karanka had been involved in a training ground fracas with club favourite Stewart Downing earlier this week.
Winger Gaston Ramirez was also said to have had a tense relationship with his boss following comments he made to the club’s fans in January.
Mourinho also took several digs at the ‘Boro owners for their decision, sarcastically suggesting that Karanka deserved to be sacked.
He said: “I think he deserved to be sacked.
“In the first year he arrived, the team was going into League One and he saved the team.
“In the second year, he took the team to Wembley to play the playoff final. In the third year he had direct promotion.
"I think in the fourth year, he deserved to be sacked."
Middlesbrough are looking to end a 10-game winless run in the league against United on Sunday at the Riverside, with assistant Steve Agnew taking charge as interim boss.
Nigel Pearson appears to be favourite to take the reigns, while 'Boro are making a bold attempt to lure Guus Hiddink to the club.
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