Manchester United’s Paul Pogba returns in style to cut down Newcastle

Once again, Paul Pogba is doing his snake-hips shuffle beneath the Stretford End and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – straight-backed, chest puffed out, knee fixed – can be seen soaking up the crowd’s acclaim. It still might not be enough when it comes to the task of catching, and overhauling, Manchester City at thetop of the premier league – but it must still feel reassuring for Manchester United’s supporters to see these two wearing the team’s colours again.

For Ibrahimovic, it was his first appearance since his cruciate ligaments were ruptured in April and it was a tremendous cheer when he came on in thye 77th minute. All the goals had gone in by that stage but, Zlatan being Zlatan, one imagines he is certain he can still have a considerable influence on this season’s title race. He will be outraged, undoubtedly, that an acrobatic volley was saved by the Newcastle goalkeeper, Rob Elliot, to deny him a comeback goal in the final moments.