A number of Manchester United players have already reacted publicly to the sacking of head coach Michael Carrick after his exit was announced by the club on Thursday morning.

United confirmed that they had reached the 'extremely difficult conclusion' that they would be parting ways with Carrick, who was appointed as permanent head coach on a two-year contract after an interim spell last season.

He is set to be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, who will leave his role as manager of the United States men's national team (USMNT) to take charge at Old Trafford. According to reports, Pochettino will fulfil his outstanding obligations to the USMNT before he departs - they take on Haiti in a two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie during the ongoing international break.

Here is how some United players have reacted to Carrick's departure:

What Man Utd players have said after Michael Carrick sack

The majority of the Manchester United first-team squad are on international duty and were in action on Thursday night, but a host of players have still paid tribute to Carrick.

Former United captain Harry Maguire, who signed a new one-year contract in the summer to stay at Old Trafford after impressing in the early days of Carrick's reign, was the first player to react via Instagram on Thursday.

Maguire posted a photo featuring himself and the ex-United midfielder, writing: "Will always be a legend. Respect. Thank you."

He was followed by midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who Carrick made a focal point of his midfield after he had been effectively frozen out under previous head coach Ruben Amorim. Posting a photo of himself and Carrick embracing alongside a love-heart emoji, he wrote: "Thank you for everything, boss."

Shea Lacey, who Carrick spoke particularly highly of after his crucial cameo in United's 3-2 comeback win over Roma earlier this month, also posted a photo of himself embracing his now former head coach alongside the words: "Thank you for everything boss. I wish you all the best for the future." He added a love-heart and prayer emoji.

Young midfielder Tyler Fletcher, who was given his Premier League debut in February by Carrick, wrote: "Thank you for everything." And Patrick Dorgu, who scored what proved to be the final goal of Carrick's reign to net the equaliser in Sunday's 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, said: "Thank you coach and good luck for the future."

They were followed by Joshua Zirkzee, who posted a love-heart emoji to his Instagram Story alongside a photo of himself and Carrick after a match.

Carlos Baleba, the final signing made by United under Carrick when he joined from Brighton in the summer, wrote: "Thank you for everything gaffer," accompanied by another love-heart emoji.

Defender Ayden Heaven also thanked Carrick, writing: "Thank you for the opportunities boss and good luck for future."

In the late hours of Thursday, forward Bryan Mbeumo echoed the thoughts of his team-mates by telling Carrick: "Thank you for everything, coach."

And captain Bruno Fernandes, who was critical of Carrick's tactics following United's 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como last month, also paid tribute to his now former head coach by sharing a photo of himself and Carrick shaking hands alongside a four-word message: "Thanks for everything, boss."

When Mauricio Pochettino will become the new Man Utd head coach

According to The Athletic, Pochettino has already agreed on a two-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford and could be announced as the new head coach as early as Friday morning.

However, as mentioned above, he will only arrive in Manchester after managing the USMNT's two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Haiti - the second leg of which takes place on Tuesday. Pochettino's long-standing backroom staff, including assistant Jesus Perez, will join him at United, with the Argentine set to take charge of his first game as head coach when United take on Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.