It had been billed by some as a last-man-standing scrap between Pogba and Mourinho. And Jose has been the one to fall on his sword.

Thoughts on Pogba's tweet? And, as the man says, why don't you caption it...

Paul Pogba, who has not started under Mourinho recently, has just tweeted...

Of whom do you think Manchester United legend Brian McClair is talking about?

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist

A brave decision by MUFC no matter the cost. Mourinho couldn't find the way out and the players, no matter what he said, were not with him. Would Real Madrid want a man who seems to have lost the spark?

The admiration of Florentino Perez for shock treatments and Mou is obvious. And no clear alternative if they do not want Solari to stay

I think many would agree Mourinho's methods have looked dated in his spell at Old Trafford. Especially with Pep Guardiola down the road at City.

But his reputation will surely guarantee another big job somewhere. He couldn't end up at another former club... could he?

Henry Ellison: Truly a Christmas miracle. Now sort out the club’s direction, get the players playing for the shirt again, sort out the wheat from the chaff and do everything to sign Poch in the summer.

Stuart Watson: I suppose Mourinho became a specialist in failure, I wonder if Arsene agrees?

C Li: The performance of Woodward and the #ManUtd, external board are just as bad as Jose Mourinho. It's laughable they gave him an extension given his past record. Shocking how incompetent they have been in replacing #SAF, external and panicked into appointing Jose Mourinho.

Nicola: As a Chelsea fan seeing it from the outside this time it has all been so predictable... Mourinho hitting the self destruct button in his 3rd season once again.

tonyp: personally I would like to see someone young given a go who understands Utds philosophy, who better then Ryan Giggs, put him in as caretaker and let him prove himself, what have we got to lose!!

Harrison Short: Probably the right decision to get rid of Mourinho, but the problems at Manchester United run a lot lot deeper than the manager. Woodward is poison and has to go, and some players are not playing for the badge. Hopefully the next manager gets the club’s act together.

Michael Carrick has taken charge at Carrington... for today at least.

The ex-United and England midfielder and Kieran McKenna, also part of Mourinho's coaching staff, is taking Tuesday's training.

Imagine standing on the side of the training pitch today and listening to what the players are saying...

The stats don't lie...

Andy Mitten, editor of Manchester United fanzine United We Stand, on BBC Radio 5 live: "It has been coming in recent weeks. We've been doing polls where 80% of fans wanted him to leave. Very few people will be upset he has gone.

"He had a very good first season, an acceptable second season, but this season has been a disaster.

"The manager is not wholly responsible but he must take a lot of the blame. He is not the only one culpable, the players are not playing anywhere near their best level.

"They won't be sad he's gone."

Was Sunday's feeble fight at Liverpool the final straw? Ed Woodward, sat next to Sir Bobby Charlton at Anfield, looked shellshocked at how bad Mourinho's side were.

Unsurprisingly Mourinho wasn't impressed either. Here's his final post-match interview as Manchester United manager...

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

While they were still in Europe I thought he had a chance of keeping his job.

Once they went out of Europe, and that looked likely after they drew Paris St-Germain yesterday, I thought he would be vulnerable.

I don't see anyone available and suitable other than Zinedine Zidane.

So whose decision was it? Jose Mourinho has not had the demeanour of a happy man in recent months but, despite his obvious disenchantment (moaning about his squad, criticising players), it is hard to imagine he decided to walk...

David Moyes is free....

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

The caretaker manager will NOT be Michael Carrick or Nicky Butt.

Will be external BUT NOT Arsene Wenger.

And who should be the caretaker manager? Some names have already been ruled out, according to BBC Sport's Simon Stone...

Let's start with the full Manchester United statement...

"Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect.

"The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.

"A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager."