Martin Dubravka, who has made a total of 78 saves this term, and he spoke ahead of his North East Football Writers’ Player of the Year award having only just landed back from Spain a few hours earlier.
With new boys Miguel Almiron and Antonio Barreca fresh among the United ranks, Dubravka explained why it was a beneficial trip ahead of tomorrow’s crunch clash with Huddersfield Town.
He said: "We spent some good time together and we trained well and hard.
"We trained twice every day - so I think that can really help us.
"And with the new players coming into the team, it helped them them also to get us to know us a little bit better."