M.E.N. ON SUNDAY See FIVE pages of reaction, comment, ratings and reports from United’s clash with Norwich City

mark at Molineux, as United’s only centre-back cover on the bench. The situation wasn’t helped that day by the fact so many potential centre-back replacements – Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo – were already unavailable.

Jones had endured a shocker in his previous start at Sheffield United, being replaced at halftime after a listless 45-minute performance and would have been way down the pecking order had those injuries not struck.

But at Wolves, United’s coaches were reluctant to usher on Jones and Maguire insisted himself he remain on the pitch, as he did for the full 90 minutes.

Just like McTominay, he had wanted to play on, but might have been advised to come off and save further injury damage.

There are now concerns that Maguire’s injury (hip) could keep him out for a sustained period, meaning United are down to one fit centre-back in Victor Lindelof.

If these injury situations sound familiar, then that’s because there are parallels to be drawn with what’s happened with Pogba this season.

The Frenchman was, by the club’s own admission, brought back from an ankle injury – sustained at Southampton on August 31 – too soon.

He needlessly played the full 90 minutes of a Carabao Cup tie against Rochdale and has only completed 90 minutes on one occasion since, four days later against Arsenal. Another mini comeback came with substitute appearances against Watford and Newcastle, before it was revealed Pogba needed surgery.

There is no suggestion the United medical team are getting anything wrong in these cases, but some decisions being made on players don’t smack of longterm thinking. It has been about the short term.

In the cases of McTominay and Maguire, United could definitely have taken greater precautions. Pogba’s case has been more complex, but it’s been frustrating how little football he has played this season.

United’s squad is already paper thin. Supporters can only hope McTominay, Maguire and Pogba recover quickly.