Martin Dúbravka: I expected to get more space at Manchester United

Martin Dúbravka went on a one-year loan to Manchester United last September. However, he didn’t get many chances and Newcastle took the opportunity to take the Slovakian goalkeeper off loan in the winter. How does he rate this experience in hindsight?

Martin Dúbravka headed to the Premier League in the winter of 2018, when he was scouted by Newcastle. It was a six-month loan deal with a subsequent option. The Slovakian national team goalkeeper broke into the starting line-up almost immediately, which is why he became a Newcastle tribal player in the summer of 2018.

Dúbravka put in a great performance, his position in goal was unshakeable. However, that changed with the summer arrival of Nick Pope, who only relegated him to the bench. He agreed to a one-year loan with the Red Devils.

But even at Old Trafford, Dúbravka didn’t get many opportunities. Erik Ten Hag sent him on the pitch only in the EFL Cup duels against Aston Villa and Burnley, both of which Manchester United won.

“I came to Manchester for the reason that they play one more competition. It was presented to me that I would get opportunities in European competitions. But it didn’t come because the coach wanted to win the group and built the strongest squad,” Martin Dúbravka revealed in the VAR podcast.

But that didn’t happen in the end, as Manchester United finished second in Group E (behind Real Sociedad) due to a worse score. The current third team therefore had to play the Europa League semi-final, in which they beat Barcelona.

“I’m glad I played some games, I take it as a good experience. Iwas very surprised by the booth, I was surprised by some of the TOP players, how they communicate with others,” added the former Sparta or Slovan Liberec player.

Currently, the thirty-four year old goalkeeper is back in Newcastle, where he fills the role of number two. It will be very interesting to see how his career will develop further.

Source: VAR