Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher speaking to Sky Sports:

"I thought it was inevitable. There have been lots of problems between Jose Mourinho and board and downturn in his relationship with players. It looked like coming to an end before a ball was kicked this season.

"The squad of players isn’t the greatest in Manchester United’s history but it shouldn’t be so far behind those challenging for trophies this season.

"A lot will be made Jose Mourinho wanted a centre-back but I don’t think a regime should break down on missing out on one player. You have to move on and look at another option. There has been a lot of money spent.

"It’s been going on for a while. He is the third manager since Sir Alex Ferguson moved on. I never feel the problems at a club are ever as bad as it seems."

Looking through all your texts and tweets, this man is popping up a few times.

Thoughts?

Image source, Getty Images

Trevor Nicosia: History repeating itself? As someone who lived through the post-Busby Man Utd meltdown, I was ready for similar post SAF. For a full repeat, us SAF well enough to emulate Sir Matt and come back as caretaker to steady the ship?

Steven Broadbent: Think #MUFC, external fans have all jumped on the bandwagon. They're a Top 6 team at best currently with some very mediocre players who struggle with consistency. Mourinho has been more successful than Klopp/Pochettino. He also had the second-best win rate behind only Ferguson.

Robert Weaver: Spurs have one of the most exciting squads in Prem. They have one of the best training grounds & soon the best stadium. Poch is universally loved by the players & fans. He has a good working relationship with Levy. Why on earth would he leave for a club in decline.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

I'm told Ole Solskjaer is under consideration as caretaker at Old Trafford. Doesn’t mean it will be him but ticks all boxes - apart from being employed already of course.

Our friends over at World Service have done a BBC Minute on Mourinho's sacking.

Where did it all go wrong for the man who once called himself "The Special One"?

Listen here.

In response to Kassim's secret santa tweet at 13:24...

"He's a winner. How can I sit here and say anything bad about him?" said Gerrard.

"He's a serial winner. He's been sacked at Manchester United but he's won them a couple of trophies.

"I don't think you can criticize him too much. It will be interesting to see which direction they go in next."

Image source, Getty Images

It's not just Premier League managers voicing their opinion on Mourinho's sacking. Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has also had his say.

Remember, then-Chelsea boss Mourinho once tried to sign Gerrard during his Liverpool days.

Kassim Patel: Whoever Jose picked out for secret Santa isn’t going to be pleased

Broadcaster and Manchester United fan Sam Homewood speaking to BBC News Channel: "It is better not to wait five more months if it is not going to work out. Football styles come and go and all the more successful teams around Europe are playing a more attacking game and I imagine some of the players are looking around and wishing that they could be freed up to play that way.

"I think Manchester United have been very fair in giving Manchester United time.

"Mauricio Pochettino is the favourite and then there is Zinedine Zidane, either of which would be very exciting choices."

Kaushik Gurai: My only question to everyone here asking for Pochettino. Why would he leave a club clearly in the upward curve (all his hardwork) going toe to toe with Madrid and Barcelona for a club going backwards, without a stable structure and players having bigger attitudes?

Rath edin: Pogba, completely overrated, everyone talks about the world cup, was he better than Kante or Matuidi - nope or many other players. Just the huge PR bandwagon that bigs him up, everything about him, his hairstyle, his penalties. He's done nothing for 2.5 years.

Tottenham Hotspur

“First of all I want to send my best wishes to him," said Pochettino. "I have a very good relationship with him and it is sad news.

"It’s not my business what happens at another club. I only send my best wishes to Jose."

Asked about being a target for United, he says there have been "a lot of rumours that happen in my position at Tottenham - I cannot answer that type of question".

He adds: "I am focused on doing the best I can here.”

Image source, Getty Images

I wonder what Mauricio Pochettino makes of Mourinho's sacking?

Well, the man himself has been speaking before the not-so-small issue of his side's EFL Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Chelsea

Zola also responded to reports , externallinking Chelsea with a move for Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson.

"I'm sure there are a lot of players linked with us. Certainly Callum Wilson is doing well for this club and is of interest not only of us but for many.

"He's strong, fast, and he sees the goal. I like because he's quick, but also strong in the air, which is a very important quality.

"But I don't want to go too much into it. He's doing very well. I'm pleased for him. He has a lot of qualities that can take him a long way."

Chelsea

Of course, Mourinho wasn't the ONLY topic of conversation in Zola's press conference at Cobham.

Chelsea play Bournemouth in the quarter-finals Carabao Cup on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) and the Blues will wait to make a decision on the fitness of Eden Hazard ahead of the match.

"Eden has a knock in his foot. Hazard is one of our best players, so to have him available is a big deal, but we don't want to compromise anything."

Thanks JJ - a stellar job, as always.

Hello everyone, quiet morning? As well as all the reaction to Mourinho's sacking, I'll be bringing you all the news from around the press conferences taking place this afternoon.

Phew... well, that brighten up a quiet morning. I'm off to revamp my CV and send it to Ed Woodward. Thankfully we already have someone lined up here to take control until the end of the campaign... I'll leave you in the steady hands of Katie Falkingham.

More from Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola, speaking at his club's press conference this morning: "Well, it's never pleasant to see a coach being dismissed from a job. It's not pleasant for anyone. Especially it's not pleasant for someone like Jose who has won so much in the game and so much for this club.

"Sad like many others. I want to wish him the best. I'm sure he will have more adventures.

"Nowadays getting the sack is part of the job, for everyone, from the small coaches to the big ones. Knowing the character and personality of Jose, I'm sure he'll want to bounce back."