An exercise in pointlessness: Dubravka returns to Newcastle after just two games for Manchester United

Well, that was unexpected, unnecessary and ultimately pointless. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka returned to Newcastle United following his four-month loan spell with Manchester United, the move that only saw him make two appearances for the Red Devils.

The soon-to-be 34-year-old Slovakia international fell down the pecking order when Nick Pope signed for the Magpies, but rather than joining a club where he'd be considered the first-choice goalie, he opted to become a Manchester United substitute. Unsurprisingly, he spent the last four months as a backup for David De Gea and has only played in two competitive matches for Manchester United.

The Old Trafford club has Tom Heaton and Nathan Bishop as backup options to De Gea, and will wait to decide whether to bring in a replacement for Dubravka. Heaton has been named on the bench in United's last two Premier League games against Nottingham Forest and Wolves, leaving Dubravka far away from first-team action.

Manchester United paid a $2 million loan fee and had an obligation to buy Dubravka for $7 million if he had started a certain number of league games. However, he was never in "danger" of triggering that clause.

The Slovak joined the Magpies from Czech side Sparta Prague five years ago, initially on loan. He has made 130 competitive appearances during his time on Tyneside, recording 37 clean sheets in the Premier League. He won the club's 2019/20 Player of the Year award, but has lost his place as the black and whites' number one as soon as Eddie Howe brought in Pope from Burnley during the last transfer window.

It's now unclear what will happen with former Liverpool 'keeper Loris Karius, who had signed a short-term contract with Newcastle when Dubravka left.