Manchester United news: Jose Mourinho charged with misconduct for Anthony Taylor comments

Mourinho spoke out about the appointment of referee Anthony Taylor for United's trip to Liverpool

Mourinho got back to winning ways against Man City on Wednesday (Getty)

Jose Mourinho is facing a fine rather than a stadium ban from the Football Association after being charged with misconduct in relation to comments about referee Anthony Taylor prior to Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool earlier this month.

Having sought Mourinho’s explanation for his remarks about Taylor, when he suggested it would be ’difficult’ for the official to perform at his best at Anfield following suggestions that he would under an intense spotlight due to being Manchester-based, the FA confirmed on Thursday morning that it had charged the former Chelsea manager.

In a statement, the FA said: “Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with misconduct, in respect of comments he made relating to the appointed match referee prior to the Liverpool FC v Manchester United FC fixture on Monday 17 October 2016.

“It is alleged his comments were improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3(1).

“Mr Mourinho has until 6pm on Monday 31 October 2016 to respond to the charge.”

Mourinho was fined £50,000 and given a 12-month suspended stadium ban last October for claiming referees were ‘afraid to give decisions for Chelsea’ following a 3-1 defeat at home to Southampton.

However, the 12-month suspension expired 24 hours before Mourinho made his comments about Taylor in the wake of claims in the local media on Merseyside that the referee, an Altrincham supporter from the Manchester suburb of Wythenshawe, was a contentious choice to take charge of the Liverpool-United fixture.

Mourinho said: “I think Mr Taylor is a very good referee but I think somebody with intention is putting such a pressure on him that I feel it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance.

“I have my view but I understood and I learned a lesson by being punished so many times for some words so I don’t want to say anything [more] about it.”

Although Mourinho was subsequently hit with a stadium ban for confronting referee Jon Moss during Chelsea’s defeat at West Ham shortly after the loss to Southampton, that penalty was imposed as a result of the Portuguese being charged with improper conduct.

The United manager could yet be issued with a stadium ban, but it is understood that a financial penalty is the most likely outcome should a regulatory panel uphold the FA charge.