Leon Osman was highly critical of Martin Dubravka as Manchester United beat Burnley 2-0 in the Carabao Cup. It was also only the Newcastle United loanee’s second appearance yet.
Dubravka left St James’ Park for Old Trafford in September after losing out to Nick Pope on Tyneside. But Erik ten Hag has seldom sought to field the Slovakian with David de Gea still the Red Devils’ No.1. He also missed a short spell after sustaining an injury in September.
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Ten Hag ultimately did not afford Dubravka his debut until the third round of the Carabao Cup on November 10. He featured as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 4-2 and retained the cup role this Wednesday. But the 33-year-old failed to impress Osman against Burnley.
Manchester United paid their Premier League rivals, Newcastle, £2m to land Dubravka on loan for the season. Sky Sports also reported his transfer includes a £6m option to buy the 30-cap international next summer. It will become an obligation if he plays enough fixtures.
Dubravka still has a £38k-a-week contract with Newcastle through to the summer of 2025. But Toon boss Eddie Howe sought to move away from Rafa Benitez’s £4m signing after he bought Pope from Burnley for £12m. Pope has nine clean sheets in 17 games at Newcastle.
Osman slams Newcastle loanee Dubravka for ‘nervous’ Manchester United game
Dubravka produced one excellent save as the Newcastle loanee recorded his second game for Manchester United against Burnley. The veteran shot-stopper did well to deny Manuel Benson. But he also had to rely on Casemiro clearing off his line to register a clean sheet.
The Brazilian came to Dubravka’s rescue with the former Sparta Prague stopper proving an erratic presence between the sticks. He also mis-controlled a simple pass back to him that nearly gifted Burnley an equaliser. Christian Eriksen (27’) had earlier broken the deadlock.
Marcus Rashford (57’) extended Manchester United’s lead against Burnley with a charging solo effort. The England forward resumed his domestic duties after the World Cup in style by running from 10 yards inside the Red Devils’ territory and between two Clarets players.
The efforts Pope has produced on Tyneside so far this term will further delight Newcastle, though, as Dubravka struggled during just his second game on loan to Manchester United against Burnley. Osman proved very critical of the experienced goalkeeper on Wednesday.
“Dubravka is having a nervous couple of moments,” Osman noted on BBC Radio 5 Live. “If that ball was played back to him any quicker, it would have been a goal. He’s having a troubled couple of moments. He’s fortunate.”
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