Dundee United

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Manager Jim Goodwin says his Dundee United squad is stretched as they head into a Scottish Premiership double-header this week, with "influential" players still missing.

United currently sit fourth and host fifth-place Motherwell, with a chance to open up a five-point gap on Stuart Kettlewell's side.

Craig Sibbald, Ross Graham and Louis Moult remain out, although the latter two could return at the weekend, while Ryan Strain made his comeback as a substitute in Saturday's defeat at Aberdeen after three months out injured.

"This Wednesday we'll have to go with the squad that we had available to us against Aberdeen, said Goodwin.

"Look, you want to have competition right throughout the squad and unfortunately in recent weeks we haven't really had that.

"Particularly in the middle of the pitch, there's a big demand on the likes of [Vicko] Sevelj, [David] Babunski, obviously pleased to get [Richard] Odada some minutes on Saturday as well but we are missing some really influential players.

"Obviously, our captain Ross Doherty, Craig Sibbald who's been a mainstay in the team since I've come to the club and we're light of options at the top end of the pitch as well with Louis Moult being out."

One bright spark this season has been on-loan Liverpool player Luca Stephenson, whose versatility has proved useful.

"He has been excellent since he came in, that right-wing back role, he's made that his own," added Goodwin.

"The great thing about Lucas is he can play a number of different positions.

"Obviously, we moved him into the middle of the park on Saturday just to try and give us a bit more legs in there".

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepares to host Motherwell on Wednesday night.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Goodwin says that with "influential" players missing, a lack of squad depth and competition for places has been apparent in recent weeks.

• He is "desperate" to get Ryan Strain back into the side but says it's not a simple task given the severity of the Australia defender's hamstring injury.

• On whether United are further ahead than expected after promotion, Goodwin says it's "important to remind ourselves" where the club have come.

• Getting to a situation where there is "real depth and real competition for places" won't happen overnight.

• He says it is still the "beginning of the project" at the club, despite their impressive top-flight start, and while "delighted" with the position they are in, the target remains staying in the Premiership.

• United will go into Wednesday's game "on the front foot" as the home side, but Goodwin knows Motherwell carry a real threat.

• He says it is "great to see" a young, Scottish talent like Motherwell's Lennon Miller "stealing the show".

Ross Graham, Craig Sibbald, Ross Docherty and Louis Moult will remain absent as Dundee United host Motherwell on Wednesday, confirms manager Jim Goodwin. (The Courier), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

Watch highlights as Aberdeen win 1-0 against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Scott: Mixed emotions. We defended like prime AC Milan but got what we deserved. Aberdeen deserved the three points as they were positive and patient. We sat back in the second half and just invited pressure which was disappointing as we are better than that, we need to stop being negative against the better teams. Good to see Ryan Strain back on the pitch.

Jamie: There is a big difference between playing defensively and negatively. Sadly, United were the latter and the blame has to go to Jim Goodwin. After all the hype over Aberdeen's admittedly tremendous start, they looked very average and it felt like a missed opportunity. All that said, it's still a great start to the season.

Robert: You can't play defensively like that continually and hope to get something out of a game of football. So far I think United have been fortunate gaining what they have in the league but eventually they will be caught out. You need to have more of a goal threat, that said our squad looks lacking in quality, experience and game know how!

Wallace: A poor second half by United as they never looked like scoring.

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• Aberdeen have scored five goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Dundee United (six) have scored more in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee United have conceded four goals to opposition substitutes in the Premiership this season, no team has conceded more.

• Aberdeen are undefeated in their last 18 games in the Premiership, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition (since at least 2013/2014).

• Dundee United failed to attempt a shot on target in this game, it's the first time they failed to attempt a shot on target in a game in the Premiership since facing Rangers on 15th September 2024.

Did you take in Dundee United's defeat by Aberdeen?

Have your say on the match, external

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We came close to a valuable point. A clean sheet would have been fantastic. I can't fault the players.

"In the first 45, I did not think there was a great deal in it. We denied them space in behind. Ahead of the second half, they made a few changes and caused us problems in the wide areas. We defended resiliently but I can't have too many arguments about the end result."

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Any appraisal of how Dundee United fare in the Scottish Premiership this term can be caveated or endorsed with the suffix 'in their first season back in the top flight'.

The Tangerines do not look like a side new to the division - quite the opposite - and stuttering starts to the campaign by Hibernian and Hearts, who meet on Sunday, had allowed Jim Goodwin's side to steal a march.

But they became more and more defensive following Aberdeen's changes and that limited their chances of getting back level in the closing stages.

They also did not make the most of long throw-ins, free-kicks and corners, Kevin Holt heading out from a wide left delivery during the second period.

Though ultimately on the losing side, Dundee United goalkeeper Jack Walton made some fine saves.

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Following last weekend's dramatic stoppage-time 3-2 victory over Hibernian, Jim Goodwin settles on just one switch within his Dundee United starting XI.

Macedonian attacker Kristijan Trapanovski returns to United's starting side, replacing 20-year-old midfielder Miller Thomson.

Meshack Ubochioma remains on the bench despite netting a 99th minute winner versus Hibs last time out.

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, MacKenzie, Heltne Nilsen, Palaversa, Keskinen, McGrath, Duk, Sokler.

Substitutes: Doohan, Shinnie, Clarkson, McGarry, Besuijen, Morris, Milne, MacDonald, Ambrose.

Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Stephenson, Sevelj, Babunski, Ferry, Trapanovski, Middleton, Dalby.

Substitutes: Richards, Strain, Odada, Fotheringham, Van der Sande, Thomson, Constable, Stirton, Meshack.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has a few players with issues but is hopeful they will all be fit other than long-term absentees Pape Habib Gueye and Dante Polvara.

Ryan Strain has a good chance of being part of the Dundee United squad after the right-back recovered from a hamstring injury.

Striker Louis Moult and midfielder Ross Docherty are battling to be fit.

However, centre-half Ross Graham is out for several weeks with a hamstring injury, while midfielder Craig Sibbald has undergone groin surgery.

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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has a few players with issues but is hopeful they will all be fit, other than long-term absentees Pape Habib Gueye (quad) and Dante Polvara (hamstring).

Ryan Strain has a good chance of being part of the United squad after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Craig Sibbald has undergone groin surgery while Louis Moult (knee) and Ross Docherty (muscular) are battling to be fit. Ross Graham is out for several weeks with a hamstring injury.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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You have to go back a long way to find the last time Dundee United won a league game at Pittodrie.

It was August 2014 - the first day of the new league season - when Jackie McNamara's United turned up and thumped their hosts 3-0.

Goals from Ryan Dow, Gary Mackay-Steven and Chris Erskine were enough to beat Derek McInnes' charges. Aberdeen would have the last laugh of course, finishing the season as runners-up to Celtic.

Thankfully for the men in tangerine, there was a Scottish Cup win in the north as recently as 2021. That was against a Stephen Glass side. It would be fair to suggest they'll have a tougher time against Jimmy Thelin's outfit.

Saturday evening's encounter will also witness Jim Goodwin's return to Pittodrie after his ill-fated spell as Aberdeen manager.

Goodwin can fall back on decent away form this season already. His side are unbeaten on their travels in four attempts - winning two and drawing two - and have shown real grit to grind out results late on.

Aberdeen are unbeaten so far, but at home they've been particularly impressive - they've won their last seven games in front of the Pittodrie faithful.

A fascinating tussle under the lights awaits.

Dundee United have contacted the Scottish FA and SPFL after goalkeeper Jack Newman's loan deal at Inverness Caledonian Thistle was cut short after the club went into administration. (Record), external

United intend to block Inverness ending the loan arrangement for Newman, 22. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin insists he isn't fretting about a hostile reception from Aberdeen fans on Saturday evening when he returns to Pittodrie for the first time since his sacking.

The Irishman was dismissed by the Dons in January last year after presiding over the club's worst-ever result - a Scottish Cup loss to sixth-tier Darvel - followed by a 6-0 defeat at Hibs.

But Goodwin has rebuilt his reputation at United, who currently occupy fourth place on their top-flight return and are aiming to end Jimmy Thelin's unbeaten start in the Aberdeen hotseat.

"All games on the road are difficult and Pittodrie is a great venue to play football in, Saturday evening under the lights, live on the telly, it's got the makings of a really good game," said Goodwin.

"It's two good teams going at it. Yes, they're unbeaten at the moment but those runs do need to come to an end at some point and we've got to believe that we are capable of being the team to do it.

"I'm looking forward to a warm welcome! They [the Aberdeen fans] don't faze me. I would expect the supporters to be delighted with the start that their team has had and I would imagine they'll focus their energy on getting behind their own team.

"My focus is on Dundee United. Aberdeen is a thing of the past for me now.

"We've had a great start to the season we're in a really good place at the moment. We've got a tough test on Saturday but the players have shown they're capable of rising to the challenge and hopefully we'll see that on Saturday.

"Pittodrie is a great venue, it'll be a full house no doubt, it'll be a hostile environment for our players but we have to use that to our advantage and try and quieten the crowd early on."

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before this weekend's Premiership game at Aberdeen.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Goodwin believes it's too early to look at the league table even though his newly-promoted side sit in fourth, but says "winning games brings confidence".

• On last weekend's incredible late comeback win over Hibs, he says: "The players have got that belief within themselves, the spirit in the group, the real togetherness and the never-say-die attitude".

• Aberdeen will be a "really tough challenge" but United are going into the game with "real confidence, positivity and a good bit of momentum".

• He acknowledges Pittodrie will be a "hostile" environment and the former Dons boss joked he is expecting a "warm welcome" on his first time back there.

• Goodwin praised Glenn Middleton, saying: "He was a really key player last season in helping us win the league and and he's played a significant role coming off the bench and making real positive impacts."

• The squad is a bit "stretched" with injuries but Ryan Strain has a "really good chance" of being involved this weekend and that will give the team a "boost".

• Craig Sibbald is recovering from groin surgery and isn't expected to be fit until the new year but Goodwin says the "staff and the players around him will do everything we can to keep his spirits up".

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• Aberdeen have lost just one of their last 14 home league games against Dundee United (W7 D6), a 3-0 reverse in August 2014 under Derek McInnes.

• Dundee United have lost their last two league meetings with Aberdeen, more than their previous seven against the Dons beforehand (W3 D3 L1).

• Aberdeen have won their last seven home league games, their longest such run since winning eight in a row in April 2017.

• Dundee United have won four of their last six league matches (D1 L1), including both of their last two, while they are unbeaten in all four Scottish Premiership away games this season (W2 D2).

• Jamie McGrath's six assists for Aberdeen are the most by a player in his side’s first eight Scottish Premiership matches of a season since the competition rebranded in 2013.

David Babunski will try to lure some secrets from his international team-mate Bojan Miovski, the former Aberdeen striker, before Dundee United's trip to Pittodrie. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Dundee United midfielder Craig Sibbald's recent surgery has been declared a success. (Courier - subscription), external

Midtjylland owner Anders Holch Povlsen is linked with an investment in Dundee United. (Sun), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Part of what makes any sports team successful is their undying belief that no matter how much the odds are stacked against them, or how far behind they are, they can bounce back and win.

These players may have been down, but you should never count them out.

I'm a massive sports fan in general and there is always something wonderful and dramatic about an unlikely comeback: The Miracle at Medinah (2012 Ryder Cup), Superbowl LI (New England Patriots coming back from 25 points down with just 17 minutes left against Atlanta Falcons) and the 2005 Champions League triumph for Liverpool against AC Milan.

All incredible and enough to get even the casual fan up off their seat.

Well, I may be blinkered here, but from where I was sitting at Tannadice, the ending of Saturday's match was every bit as good as any of them.

The Terrors may have entered into the 93rd minute with a man advantage, but they were still trailing 2-1.

At that stage, I reckon most United fans would have snatched your arm off for a point. And as Liverpool loanee Luca Stephenson prodded the ball into the back of the Hibees net, I'd probably have settled for that.

But this Jim Goodwin side has something about them. There's a grit, a determination, a steeliness. They could sniff the possibility of all three points and that's exactly what they went after.

Did Hibs' defence help in this pursuit? It most certainly did, but credit where it's due.

Meshack Ubochioma may have been having a howler since being introduced on 87 minutes, but all was forgiven in the 99th as he pounced on the opportunity the Hibs backline afforded him and coolly lobbed the ball over everyone in between him and the goal.

It was slow motion. Will it or won't it come down in time? Nearly 11,000 held their breath as we all waited to see the ball's final destination.

To watch as the ball kissed the bar, bounced down on to the goalline, then rolled into the back of the net was absolutely sensational.

United fans all around the stadium went berserk and were hugging fellow supporters as if they were meeting up with a long-lost friend they hadn't seen in years.

It was dramatic, it was climatic, and moments like that are the reason we all love football.

Next up, the Dons. Let's see what you've got, Jimmy Thelin's boys.

Paul McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external.