Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Thursday was charged with misconduct over comments he made about the referee in charge of this month's game against Liverpool, the Football Association had announced.

United's outspoken Portuguese manager faces a disciplinary hearing after questioning referee Anthony Taylor's suitability to take charge of the October 17 game at Anfield.

The Altrincham-based official's appointment for the Premier League derby had led former English top flight referee Keith Hackett to claim the appointment would place undue pressure on Taylor.

And when those comments were put to Mourinho ahead of the match, the United boss 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 that it will be difficult for him to have a very good performance.”

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

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

New rules were introduced in 2009 in an attempt to crack down on pre-match comments about officials which could be viewed as influential.

After the drab goalless draw Mourinho praised the performance of Taylor, whose four bookings in the match all went to United players.

“Can I speak about the referee without being punished?” Mourinho asked the club's press officer.

After being given the go-ahead, the Portuguese added, “He had a good game and I am happy for him because people with responsibilities put a lot of pressure on him and it was very difficult for him to have a good performance, which he had.”

Manchester United had appointed Jose Mourinho as their new manager for this season in May 2016. The 53-year-old Portuguese replaced Dutchman Louis van Gaal whose two-year reign at Old Trafford.

The self-styled 'Special One', Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December last year, ending his second spell in charge of the London club.