Martin Dubravka was back at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, and the Newcastle United goalkeeper helped Manchester United more than he did during his entire loan spell.
We predicted that Eddie Howe would start Nick Pope ahead of Martin Dubravka, but the Newcastle United manager kept the 35-year-old in his starting lineup. He opted against bringing Pope back into the side, as he awaits his first appearance since recovering from a shoulder injury.
Pope was on the bench for the third game in a row on Wednesday, as the Magpies were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United. It was an incredibly frustrating night for Newcastle, who are no longer in the driving seat to qualify for Europe.
Individual mistakes cost Newcastle United against Manchester United
It was a night of mistakes for Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Kieran Trippier was at fault for the first goal of the game, needlessly playing Kobbie Mainoo onside. The 33-year-old was also culpable for Man United’s second, with a lapse in concentration resulting in Newcastle conceding a cheap corner. That allowed Amad Diallo to restore the Red Devils’ lead, after Anthony Gordon had made it 1-1.
Rasmus Hojlund scored Man United’s third, but that goal had nothing to do with Trippier, who had been taken off at that point.
Martin Dubravka was very poor at Old Trafford
Instead, weak goalkeeping from Dubravka allowed Erik ten Hag’s side to extend their advantage.
It was the type of goalkeeping that Toon fans have grown used to witnessing, with Dubravka really struggling since coming into the side. His shot-stopping ability is nowhere near as good as it used to be, and it has cost Newcastle time and time again.
Even some of the saves he did make on Wednesday night were dubious. There were multiple occasions when he parried the ball into a dangerous area, while his inability to close space and come off his line continued to cause confusion for the Magpies’ defenders.
Newcastle United fans react to Martin Dubravka’s performance
It was another poor performance from Dubravka, and Newcastle fans on X were severely unimpressed with the Slovakia international.
One supporter tweeted: “Dubravka has to go. Every shot on target goes in. Horrendous.”
Another Newcastle fan shared that view, writing: “Every shot on goal against Dubravka goes in.”
“That has got to be Dubravka’s last game for us. Absolutely woeful,” a third fan wrote.
This member of the Toon Army asked an important question, tweeting: “What has happened to Dubravka man his stock has fallen so badly nick pope saves 2/3 of those goals tonight.”
“I hate to single players out but Dubravka couldn’t save a PDF,” quipped one fan, who tried to see the funny side of the goalkeeper’s struggles.
Finally, this supporter implored Howe to make a change on Sunday, writing: “If Nick Pope is even remotely fit, I’d start him against Brentford. Dubravka was shambolic tonight. Should have saved their first & third and made bizarre decisions all game.”
That sums it up. Howe should have started Pope ahead of Dubravka against Manchester United, but he did not. He must not make that same mistake against Brentford on Sunday.
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