There was a split-second on Saturday evening, as Murphy took the ball on in the Stretford End box, when the season looked poised to crumble, and time itself stood still. Had the Toon buried that for 2-0, do we really think that United would have recovered, Pogba’s lively presence notwithstanding?

Cash-strapped Portsmouth remain hopeful their winding-up petition will be withdrawn by the High Court today.