Newcastle outcast can only win Carabao Cup winners medal if Man Utd win

02 February 2023 , 14:00

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Martin Dubravka in action for Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)

Martin Dubravka faces a headache when Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final later this month.

On one of those very rare occasions, the 33-year-old could pick up a winners' medal if the Red Devils win the trophy, despite currently playing for Newcastle. The Slovakian spent the first-half of the season on loan at Man Utd, having joined on loan from Eddie Howe's side on deadline day.

Dubravka, who was recalled on January 1, made only two senior appearances during his four-month stint at Old Trafford. However, both of them came in the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 success over Aston Villa and a 2-0 win against Burnley, 10 days before he was sent back to St James' Park.

This means that Dubravka will be ineligible to play in the game as he is cup-tied, but could still pick up a winners' medal should United come out on top. That shouldn't matter for Newcastle because Nick Pope is by far and away their first-choice goalkeeper with Loris Karius expected to fill in as his number two.

The rule governing the distribution of medals at the final reads: "In addition to the Cup, the Management Committee shall present 30 souvenirs to the winning Club in the Final Tie and 30 souvenirs to the losing Club. Additional souvenirs may be presented with the consent of the Management Committee but shall be at the cost of the requesting Club."

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So, if Man Utd want to recognise and reward every player who donned their colours and helped get them make Wembley as well as their staff then Dubravka certainly would be one of them - and that usually is the case. By the same token Newcastle should organise a medal for Chris Wood, who scored a crucial goal in the opening round at Tranmere but is now playing for Nottingham Forest.

Should Martin Dubravka get a winners' medal if Man Utd lift the Carabao Cup? Let us know in the comments below!

Martin Dubravka in action for Manchester United (Getty Images)

A precedent has already been set of course, with both Pep Guardiola at Man City and Liverpool 's Jurgen Klopp both ordering more gongs because they believed that young academy players who turned out in the early rounds should be equally thanked. Last season, Liverpool fielded much younger sides in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup early rounds but went onto win both trophies.

Meanwhile, this a tricky situation for Dubravka, who has so much affinity towards the Magpies, having spent five years at the club after joining from Sparta Prague in January 2018. He has made 131 appearances for the Magpies, winning the club's Player of the Year on one occasion during Steve Bruce's time in charge.

But the shot-stopper will then add his first-ever domestic trophy in England to his collection should his former loan side Man Utd win. Tom Heaton is also set for a medal if the Red Devils lift the trophy, having played in the quarter-final victory over Charlton and in Wednesday's second-leg win over Forest.

David de Gea, meanwhile, is set to start the final at Wembley, meaning all three goalkeepers will have played three times during the competition. The game will take place on Sunday, February 26 as Ten Hag tries to steer his side to their first trophy since 2017.

Kieran King