Image source, SNSGlenn Middleton. Not many impressed for United, especially in the first-half, but Middleton flashed a volley wide and drilled in a few low crosses that were begging to be finished.
He's been back in the team for the last few weeks and looks like he's won his spot back.
Image source, SNSHibernian: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita, Newell, Kwon, Triantis, Hoilett, Boyle, Kuharevich.
Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Youan, Iredale, McKirdy, N Cadden, Campbell, Bushiri, Molotninkov.
Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Ferry, Sevelj, Babunski, Stephenson, Middleton, Dalby.
Substitutes: Richards, Trapanovski, Odada, Fotheringham, Van der Sande, Thomson, Constable, Stirton, Ubochioma.
Image source, SNSDavid Babunski has warned Dundee United to respect struggling Hibernian when they travel to Easter Road on Sunday.
Hibs have drawn their last two Premiership matches but have only one win in 11 games, with David Gray's side struggling at the wrong end of the table.
United came from behind to beat the Leith club at Tannadice only a couple of weeks ago and Babunski said that match is still "fresh in the mind".
"For sure, it's something that we'll look at and get useful information from ahead of the game on Sunday," he added.
United lost 2-1 at home to Motherwell in midweek following a defeat at Aberdeen - and Babunski is wary of Hibs getting their act together in front of their own fans.
The 30-year-old Macedonia attacking midfielder, who signed from Hungarian club Mezokovesd in July, said: "It doesn't mean anything, because they're waiting for just that game where they can start turning their situation around.
"We don't want to be the team that lets them do that. It's a team that is struggling but has good quality players.
"We do have a lot of positive things to take from the two last games where we suffered defeats."
Image source, SNSHibernian's last top-flight win at home to Dundee United came in November 2012 (2-1), with Hibs winless in six such meetings since (D4 L2).
Dundee United have won their last two Scottish Premiership meetings with Hibernian and could win three in a row in the competition against Hibs for the first time since August 2012.
Hibernian are unbeaten in 15 top-flight home games against newly promoted opposition (W6 D9) since going down 0-1 to Ross County in December 2012.
Dundee United have kept two clean sheets in five away games in the Scottish Premiership so far this season, already the same number of shutouts they managed on the road in the whole of their previous top-flight campaign in 2022-23 (19 games).
Dundee United's Jim Goodwin has won just one of his eight managerial away games against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership (D3 L4), a 1-0 victory with St Mirren in February 2022.
Image source, SNSHibs hope to have Dwight Gayle (hamstring) and Chris Cadden (thigh) back in the squad but long-term absentee Kieron Bowie (hamstring) is missing.
Louis Moult (knee), Ross Docherty (muscular) and Ross Graham (hamstring) are all working hard to make themselves available for United but there are no guarantees, while Craig Sibbald is expected to be out until January with a groin injury.
Declan Gallagher urges Dundee United to show mental strength as they seek a return to winning ways against Hibernian. (Courier - subscription), external
United manager Jim Goodwin says Hibs head coach David Gray deserves more time in the job at Easter Road. (Record), external
Image source, SNSMeshack Ubochioma's winner against Hib deep in stoppage time sparked jubilation at Tannadice last month
Jim Goodwin is wary of struggling Hibs' "real quality" as his Dundee United side attempt to bounce back from successive defeats.
United's last victory came against the Easter Road men when two stoppage-time goals sealing a dramatic 3-2 turnaround triumph on home soil.
They have slipped to fifth in the Premiership after the midweek home loss to Motherwell, while Hibs are second bottom and seeking a first win in six games after two draws in a row.
"We know it is going to be a difficult game," said United boss Goodwin.
"Easter Road is a great venue to play football in. It is always a decent atmosphere there. I'm pretty sure we will bring a good travelling support.
"We are wanting the same outcome as we got a couple of weeks ago. But we know the challenges that we face. Hibs are at the wrong end of the table, as far as they are concerned. They have got real quality in their team, so we must be wary of that.
"We are looking to bounce back after a couple of poor results, albeit the performance on Wednesday was very good. There was lots of parts of the game I was very pleased with. The only disappointment was the manner of the goals we conceded."
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to visit Hibernian on Sunday.
Here are the key points from his press conference:
Goodwin says Hibs possess "real quality" and his side must be cautious ahead of the "difficult game".
He feels United are "two or three points short" of where they want to be after a couple of disappointing results.
Goodwin says the performance in the 2-1 midweek home defeat by Motherwell was "very good" but let down by the manner of the goals conceded.
He says "one or two players" are nearing a return but makes no guarantees on their inclusion on Sunday as they are "quite serious" injuries.
The November international break "might be a positive" for United given their injury situation.
He praised Ryan Strain's efforts to get back on the pitch following injury, while admitting the defender is "nowhere near" fit enough to play a full 90 minutes.
Craig Sibbald is expected to be out until at least January.
Sunday's match at Easter Road brings together two sides eager to get back to winning ways.
With a winless October, Hibernian's last victory came all the way back on 14 September - a run of five games.
Dundee United's return to the top flight has been solid, but narrow defeats by Aberdeen and Motherwell in the past week have dragged them down the table ever so slightly.
United, who are unbeaten in four visits to Easter Road, are fifth, eight points above second-bottom Hibs.
And, if their last meeting is anything to go by - the Tangerines' 3-2 win at Tannadice, this fixture could be a treat.
We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-1 home defeat by Motherwell.
Here's what some of you said:
George: Another header lost at the back post across the goal and we are behind. Happening too often. Apart from that weakness and hesitancy to try a shot instead of looking for the set up we are doing pretty well so far. One loss doesn't end a season. Keep the heads up.
Scott: Our fight this season isn't with the Old Firm or Aberdeen. It's with the likes of Motherwell, Kilmarnock etc. We were more positive against Motherwell but it was still an underwhelming performance. It's more hopeful football than forceful football and we need to be playing with two up top, especially at home against our main rivals.
Dave: Hate blaming individual players but the second Motherwell goal was the car crash that often looks like happening with Manny Adegboyega. On top of that our substitutions were baffling in this match.
Alan: Looks like United are going to struggle against a well-organised side. Motherwell's high balls forward created havoc while our attacking efforts were meat and drink for their defence.
Charles: We lack pace and urgency up front, this needs to change. That was a winnable match and we blew it. Jort van der Sande has been a letdown, we need someone up front to score goals.
Jamie: Jim Goodwin parked the bus on Saturday and now the wheels are flying off. It was clear Motherwell's only real threat were long balls for Tawanda Maswanhise to chase and create panic in the last defender. Goodwin refused to leave two defenders back for insurance. Couple that with the baffling decision to take off our wingers at 1-1. Europe? Top six? No chance.
Image source, SNSDundee United attempted 428 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.
Tawanda Maswanhise won five fouls in this game, more than any other player.
Dundee United attempted 17 shots in this match, higher than their season average of 10.4 in the Premiership.
Motherwell attempted nine shots, with five (55%) from set-pieces.
Despite defeat, United had a higher xG (1.43) than Motherwell (1.11).
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin struggled to comprehend how his side lost 2-1 at home to Motherwell on Wednesday. (Courier - subscription), external
Motherwell prepared for their League Cup semi-final meeting with Rangers with a hard-fought victory against Dundee United at Tannadice to leapfrog their opponents into fourth place in the Scottish Premiership.
What did you make of United's performance? Do they have enough attacking options?
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "It's a difficult one to take undoubtedly. It's not a game we deserved to lose. A draw might have been a fair result but the last half hour we played the majority of the game in Motherwell's territory.
"We created some good half chances and get done with the sucker punch of the second goal.
"Sometimes players can make mistakes. He [Emmanuel Adegboyega] should have dealt with the situation after the first bounce, but allowing it to bounce again allows the Motherwell player to close the distance.
"We're not making any excuses we had enough of that game in terms of the key metrics you look at - possession, penalty area entries and goal attempts - I think we were probably on top in those areas.
"We just didn't take those half chances that came our way and unfortunately we get punished for a mistake at the back."
Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSIt's been a good start to the season for Jim Goodwin and the team at Tannadice on their top-flight return.
They came close to a draw at high-flying Aberdeen at the weekend and Goodwin wanted the same discipline but with more impetus on the ball at home.
He got that as his team were the more composed in a scrappy game, creating the better chances without managing to properly cut Motherwell open regularly.
Missing four starters through injury in Craig Sibbald, Ross Docherty, Ross Graham, and Louis Moult they were the better side here but could not find the lethal touch they needed.
After equalising Kristijan Trapanovski and Will Ferry had golden chances to put them in front but found Motherwell bodies rather than the net.
Whether they have the necessary quality up front remains the biggest question mark, with Sam Dalby carrying too much of the burden himself in the absence of Moult.
Image source, SNSKristijan Trapanovski impressed for United, especially in the first half as he used his body well to create opportunities. His cross for Sam Dalby's goal was perfect.
Dundee United name the same XI which came close to getting a point at Pittodrie for the visit of Motherwell.
Jim Goodwin's squad is a tad stretched with Craig Sibbald, Ross Graham, Ross Docherty, and Louis Moult all still missing.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, SNSDundee United have lost two of their last three league meetings with Motherwell (W1). They could lose back-to-back such matches against the Steelmen for the first time since March 2016, and could also lose back-to-back home league games against them for the first time since April 2013.
Motherwell have only won one of their last nine away league games at newly promoted sides (D4 L4), although that was the most recent, beating Dundee 3-2 in April last season.
Dundee United have won two of their last three home league games (L1), as many as their previous 10 on home soil in the Scottish Premiership beforehand (W2 D2 L6).
Motherwell have won six of their last 10 away league games (L4), as many as their previous 30 on the road beforehand (W6 D12 L12).
Motherwell's Tony Watt has scored four goals in his five Scottish Premiership starts against former side Dundee United, netting in both of his last two against them.
The Premiership season may still have a long way to run, but the early signs have been hugely encouraging for Dundee United.
After stepping up from the Championship they find themselves in nosebleed territory of fourth after nine games.
Few would have imagined the Tangerines would have adapted so seamlessly to life back at the top table.
And it says a lot about the positivity at United that a defeat at Aberdeen last time out appears to have done little to dampen the optimism about what the Tannadice side can achieve this term.
Despite still being in the early knockings of the campaign, tonight's visit of fifth-place Motherwell is a pretty significant fixture.
A win would see United open up a five-point gap over the Lanarkshire side.
And if they can put clear daylight between themselves on the Steelmen, it would help build the argument that Jim Goodwin has assembled a team capable of mounting a serious challenge for the European spots.
Image source, SNSDundee United boss Jim Goodwin expects to be selecting from an unchanged squad, with Craig Sibbald (groin), Louis Moult (knee), Ross Docherty (muscular) and Ross Graham (hamstring) all set to remain sidelined.
Liam Gordon is suspended for Motherwell while on-loan United forward Tony Watt is ineligible.
Paul McGinn (thigh), Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Harry Paton (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Jack Vale (calf) are long-term absentees.
Richard Odada wants to make up for lost time at Dundee United, having only made four appearances since his summer arrival. (Record), external
Midfielder Odada, 23, believes "everything will tall into place" for him at Tannadice. (Courier - subscription), external
