Martin Dubravka eyes Carabao Cup glory with Newcastle
Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka reveals the ‘weird’ way he received his Carabao Cup winners’ medal from Man United after his Old Trafford loan spell… as he eyes more cup glory with the Magpies ahead of their trip to Chelsea
- Martin Dubravka played twice for Man United in the Carabao Cup last season
- He was entitled to a winners’ medal despite returning his parent club Newcastle
- Roy Keane is right! Virgil van Dijk is disrespectful. We all thought Man United would get pasted so Erik ten Hag was RIGHT to set up like that – It’s All Kicking Off
Martin Dubravka has revealed that Manchester United brought his Carabao Cup winners’ medal with them to St James’ Park last season, in what he admits was one of the ‘strangest’ episodes of his career.
The goalkeeper spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Old Trafford before returning to Newcastle in January. The two clubs then met in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in February and cup-tied Dubravka watched Man United win 2-0, entitling him to a medal given he had played in two of the earlier rounds.
The Slovakian is now preparing for another quarter-final with Newcastle at Chelsea on Tuesday evening, and has reflected on the conflicting emotions of last season.
‘The final last season was the strangest game for me, as you can imagine!’ he said. ‘I played two matches for Manchester United, so everyone was asking me who I was going to support.
‘I always support Newcastle because of the length of time I’ve spent here. It was five and a half years, as opposed to five months, so you can’t compare. I wanted Newcastle to win for the city and for the club, because the fans are just waiting for something special.’
Martin Dubravka made two appearances for Man United in the Carabao Cup last season, meaning he was entitled to a winners’ medal
He admitted it was ‘weird’ getting a winners’ medal as he had returned to Newcastle at the time of the final – which United won by beating Newcastle at Wembley
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Newcastle beat Man United at St James’ in the Premier League in April, and Dubravka said: ‘They brought the medal up. I didn’t really expect it, because I didn’t know if they would give it to me.
‘It was a little strange, but if you think about it, it’s part of the game. I have it at home, but not on display. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a medal, so I still appreciate it. It’s special circumstances and it was weird, obviously, because I wanted Newcastle to win.’
Would it mean more to win this competition with Newcastle?
‘Yes, it would be absolutely fantastic,’ said the keeper, who is deputising for the injured Nick Pope. ‘Look at the stadium and look at the fans, it’s a special place to play, so it would be amazing to win something.’
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe says there is no part of him wants out of the Carabao Cup despite mounting injuries – and has told his Newcastle players there is no scope for a Christmas party.
If the Magpies were to hold a festive bash, they could well have it in the canteen of the clinic they use for private scans, given two more players will visit there on Monday. Fabian Schar (glute) and Joelinton (hamstring) are the latest additions to the injury list.
Joelinton (left) and Fabian Schar (right) both picked up injuries in Newcastle’s win over Fulham
Alexander Isak (groin) had a scan last week and is doubtful for Tuesday’s quarter-final trip to Chelsea, while Harvey Barnes (foot), Joe Willock (Achilles) and Elliot Anderson (back) have all sought specialist opinions in recent weeks.
But Howe refuses to use the absentees – currently numbering 11 – as reason to relegate the Carabao Cup in its importance, especially not after making the final last season.
‘Absolutely not,’ he said when asked if defeat could be a blessing. ‘We want the games, we want the competition. We want the excitement of challenging for trophies. That’s where we have to be, not just now but in the future.
‘The dream didn’t turn to reality (last season), but maybe this year. It’s our best chance of winning a trophy at the moment, because we’re advanced in the competition and getting down to the serious end of it. That is why this game takes on big importance for us.
‘You go back to the last round, at Manchester United, the players stood up and gave an outstanding performance. This will be very similar, and we will need to give more.’
Newcastle have beaten both Manchester clubs to reach the last eight, on the back of a Champions League group including PSG, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund. They will also travel to North-East rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup third round.
Eddie Howe has insisted his side want to go all the way in the Carabao Cup despite their mounting injury list
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‘We’ve been thrust into the most difficult cup draws,’ said Howe. ‘But that has really stretched us and taken us out of our comfort zone. It’s made us improve, although sometimes you need a bit longer to show that improvement, but no part of me regrets that or thinks, “Oh, it’s a negative”.
‘It’s a positive. It is forcing us to improve continually and to be the team we want to be long term. We have to be exposed to those games to get closer.’
Meanwhile, Howe was asked if his players would be enjoying a Christmas party this month.
‘I certainly hope not!’ he said. ‘If they are, it is unbeknown to me. We have too many games and too busy a schedule for a party like that, I hope!’
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