The France midfielder returned to United’s Carrington training base last month to step up his rehabilitation after spending weeks in Miami recuperating.

He spent some time last week training with United’s reserve team and has been running regularly, but while manager Jose Mourinho is desperate to have his midfield talisman back as soon as possible, the club want to ensure there is no danger of compromising his fitness by playing him too soon.

Pogba watched France’s 2-0 victory over Wales in Paris on Friday and told his international team-mates, whom he had embraced warmly, that he would be “back soon” but Newcastle may be too early. He also attended the MTV European Music Awards in London on Sunday night with his brothers Florentin and Mathias.