Ray McKinnon has been sacked from his role as manager of Dundee United, the club have confirmed.

The Tannadice club lie fourth in the Championship table after losing 2-0 at home to struggling Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday, a defeat that led the board of directors to call an emergency meeting.

Various media outlets reported McKinnon's time on Tayside was up as a result but United remained silent on his future until finally announcing his departure on Tuesday afternoon.

A statment on the club website said: "Dundee United and Ray McKinnon have mutually agreed the manager's departure with immediate effect.

"The club thanks Ray for his service and will now commence the search for a new manager."

McKinnon said: "It is disappointing that my time as manager of United has come to an end. It been an honour and a privilege to both play for and then manage my hometown club that I have supported all my life.

"I would like to thank the fans for their support over my time in charge. Also, I'd like to thank everyone at Dundee United for their efforts during my tenure.

"I wish the club every success moving forward and I'm certain they will be back where they belong shortly."

McKinnon took charge of United at the end of the 2015/16 campaign after they had been relegated to Scotland's second tier under Mixu Paatelainen.

Tasked with bringing them back to Scotland's top flight, the 47-year-old came close in his first year in charge, leading them to the Premiership play-off final where they lost to Hamilton Accies in the second leg.

Following a stuttering start to the 2017/18 campaign, however, McKinnon faced pressure from supporters who grew more frustrated with every passing game,

United currently sit fourth in the second tier, behind St Mirren, Dunfermline and Livingston, on 17 points from a possible 30.

McKinnon bows out having won 40 of his 71 games in charge. He drew 16 and lost 15 since his debut against Arbroath last summer in the League Cup.