This was not just a big night for Paul Pogba, it also felt like a breakthrough moment for Jose Mourinho’s other most high profile signing at Manchester United, Alexis Sanchez. Amid the chaos and excitement of a frenzied evening at the Etihad Stadium, when United halted Manchester City’s title party with a script that not even the most imaginative supporter could have penned, Sanchez’s glittering contribution almost felt in danger of being overlooked by Pogba’s transformation from the game’s pauper to prince.

It was only three weeks earlier that Sanchez and Pogba were sat glumly on the substitutes’ bench at Old Trafford as United beat Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup and the pair’s troubles when played together had intensified debate about whether Mourinho could accommodate them in the same team.

The answer to that came during a coruscating 16 minute spell in the second half on Saturday. Sanchez underlined why United had been so intent on stealing the Chilean from City’s grasp with three assists, including the free-kick from which Chris Smalling volleyed home the winner, and Pogba lived up to his £89 million billing, the France midfielder hell-bent on shaping the game to his will en route to scoring twice.