Dundee United

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

United fans are starting to get used to this late drama. After Ross Graham's 99th-minute equaliser against Kilmarnock a few weeks back, plenty would have believed a winner was coming after Stephenson's leveller.

Yes, it was a bit fortuitous, but it was Jort van der Sande who got in there to ruffle up the Hibs back line - a late Goodwin substitution.

And Meshack was another late change - he only came on in the 88th minute - replacing Glenn Middleton, who had impressed on a rare start this season.

This was a United side missing key players, and they still snatched victory. That's the sign of a decent team and Goodwin will be delighted with the grit and determination his unsung heroes have shown.

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Glenn Middleton. A first league start of the season for the 24-year-old who was instrumental in United going up last year, and he showed why he can be so dangerous today.

He burned away from Lewis Miller for the first - Miller who is considered one of the fastest full-backs in the league - and beat Chris Cadden all ends up to set up another, that was eventually ruled out.

If he keeps showing up, he should become a regular once more.

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin confirmed midfielder Craig Sibbald will be out for a while after picking up a groin injury during the international break.

Sibbald had played every minute of the Premiership campaign so far and had impressed on the team's return to the top-flight.

However, he was not listed in the team to play Hibernian on Saturday and pre-match, Goodwin shed light on the injury.

"We've had a difficult few weeks, picking up knocks and niggles," the United boss told BBC Scotland. "It's not ideal. We don't carry the biggest of squads anyway, so when you take key players out it looks light.

"A few of those injuries aren't long-term. We expect Louis Moult to be available next weekend. Ross Docherty should make a full recovery for next weekend. Craig Sibbald hurt his groin in training and it might be a considerable period out of the team.

"We've had to use the whole squad in certain games and everyone who's had to come in has made a positive impact."

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

Substitutes: Richards, Trapanovski, Odada, Fotheringham, Van der Sande, Stirton, Domeracki, Obuchioma.

Hibernian: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O'Hora, Obita, Kwon, Newell, Cadden, Molotnikov, Hoilett, Kuharevich.

Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Youan, Boyle, Iredale, McKirdy, Campbell, Bushiri, Gayle.

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Dundee United defender Ross Graham has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury while Louis Moult, Kristijan Trapanovski and Ryan Strain face a battle to return from injuries. Manager Jim Goodwin has several other unnamed doubts.

Hibs have Joe Newell and Martin Boyle back in contention but the suspended Nectarios Triantis joins Kieron Bowie (hamstring) and long-term absentee Jake Doyle-Hayes on the sidelines.

We asked for your views on what you want to see from Dundee United as the Scottish top flight resumes after the international break.

Here's what you had to say:

Calum: We have established ourselves with a solid defence and a great battling attitude in all our games. We now need to push on and create more at the scoring end of the pitch. David Babunski was brought in to unlock opposition teams with creative passing - we need to see more of that soon. When fit, Louis Moult should start every game, he's our best finisher.

Alistair: We've obviously started the season well and have played some top teams. There are tough fixtures coming up too, but all games in this league are tough. I want to see the team being more direct and taking more shots. There's always the chance for a corner or a rebound - even if the keeper saves it, taking shots gets defenders rattled.

Jim: Looking for more of the same and being competitive in games against the Old Firm. A cup run would be a bonus, but realistically we may fall short of all that.

Charles: We've made a good start to the season however there is room for improvement so we can stay on course for a top-six finish, maybe even European qualification. We certainly have a squad capable of achieving this. 3-4-2-1 has worked some of the time but sometimes pace of opposition has been used against us. With that in mind Jim Goodwin can address this.

Oscar: Just confidence, the main thing we are lacking is going and testing the keeper. We take too long trying to pass the ball into the net and before we know it the opposition have got back. Would also love to see our new signing Meshack Ubochioma on the right wing, he seems like a solid player and with his pace along side Kristijan Trapanovski on the left, could be lethal.

Scott: After a great start to the season apart from the first 20 minutes against Rangers, the only thing of concern would be that the two big strikers Jort van der Sande and Sam Dalby have struggled to score so far. The longer they both go without scoring the more pressure will be put on them by both themselves and the fans!

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin says it is "difficult to get momentum" because of the regularity of international breaks at this stage of the season.

The Premiership will return this weekend following a two-week hiatus, with another planned for November.

There was also a brief break last month for national team matches, meaning there will be three in as many months.

"It can be frustrating and every other club manager would say the same," said Goodwin, whose side went into the break with a win over St Mirren.

"We know what the fixture calendar looks like before the season starts and we know these games need to be squeezed in.

"That's just the way it is this season and every other season, but it's difficult to get a bit of momentum.

"The last couple of international breaks we have had a couple of good results prior to it. When you are in a good run of form you want the next match to come quickly."

United haven't played at home since their 1-0 defeat against Rangers almost five weeks ago, therefore Goodwin is relishing the opportunity to play in front of their home fans once again.

The Tannadice side welcome out-of-form Hibernian and Goodwin is hoping his team can pick up their "good run of form" when they host the Leith club.

"It’s been too long, probably the best part of a month since we played in front of our own fans," he added.

"We have had some very difficult games on the road, albeit we came through the majority of them with really positive results.

"We are all looking forward to getting back to Tannadice in front of a really good crowd.

"I'm led to believe there will be in excess of 10,000 there on Saturday, so a great turnout and hopefully a really good performance to go with it."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media prior Saturday's Premiership match against Hibernian.

Here are the key lines:

• Goodwin confirmed defender Ross Graham is injured and will "miss the next two or three fixtures" with a hamstring issue.

• The United boss is delighted to be back playing at Tannadice after nearly a month on the road, with over 10,000 expected for Saturday's game.

• He feels the football calendar can be "frustrating" given the regularity of international matches at this stage of the season.

• Despite Hibs' poor run, Goodwin is preparing to face a team he feels is packed with quality.

• On the state of his squad, he added: "We have a few question marks over a number of key players for this weekend, Louis Moult and Kristijan Trapanovski missed the last game and Ryan Strain is a long-term injury."

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• Dundee United won their last league meeting with Hibernian 2-1 in April 2023, last winning successive top-flight clashes with Hibs in August 2012 (run of 3).

• Hibernian have won both of their last two league games against newly promoted opponents (both vs Dundee last season). Hibs last won three in a row versus promoted sides in the top-flight in October 2012 under Pat Fenlon.

• Dundee United have won three of their last five Scottish Premiership games (D1 L1), as many as their previous 21 beforehand (W3 D5 L13).

• Hibernian have won just one of their last 13 away league outings (D7 L5), a 3-1 victory at St. Johnstone in April. Hibs could suffer successive away league defeats for the first time since April 2023 – the second of which was to Dundee United.

• Dundee United’s nine league goals (excl. own goals) this season have been scored by eight different players. Only Celtic (12) have had more of their players score in the Scottish Premiership this season.

With domestic football making its return this weekend, we want to know what you're looking for from your side.

Dundee United have made a steady return to the top flight, sitting fifth in the table after seven games.

But what do you feel needs to be improved to maintain the impressive start?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

Louis Moult faces a race against time to be fit for Dundee United's Premiership showdown against Hibernian - but Kristijan Trapanovski could make a shock return to the first-team squad for the game. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

Let's just get this out of the way... I'm not a fan of international breaks. Especially when your team is actually doing okay!

We've got three wins, three draws, and just one defeat under our belts. A solid points-per-game average of 1.71? Not bad at all! We're actually ahead of where most of us United fans thought we'd be after promotion... long may it continue!

This weekend, we're up against Hibs, who haven't managed a single win on the road in the league this season. And as if that wasn't enough, it looks like we'll be seeing a familiar face: Dylan Levitt is back at Tannadice for the first time since we sold him after relegation.

Now, don't get me wrong, Dylan's got talent. We saw that during his loan spell. But, if he wants to keep his seat warm on the Hibs bench for the whole match, I won't be losing any sleep over it!

As much as I grumble about the international break, it might have come at the right time. Our squad's looking a bit like a walking A&E department at the moment. Ross Graham's the latest to join the physio room, and h'’s probably out until the next Nations League break.

Big Ross has had plenty of coverage this season - and rightly so! He's been brilliant. Six league appearances, three goals... not bad for a defender. But it's not just his goals we're talking about; his work at the back, alongside Declan Gallagher and Manny Adegboyega (with Super Jack Walton in goal), has been top-class. That trio's helped us to three clean sheets and a big chunk of the 12 points we’ve racked up so far.

A few of our lads are away on international duty, and I wouldn't be upset if Will Ferry added a full Ireland cap to add to his under-18 and under-21 appearances when next months squads are named. The guy has been nothing short of sensational for us. The stats back it up, but honestly, just ask any fan. I’d be surprised if anyone didn’t pick him as our standout player so far.

Ronny Costello can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external

Dundee United academy director Scott Allison says losing top youngsters to English football is a reality as the impact of Brexit – with European youth stars now not on the agenda – means Scotland is being scouted aggressively. (The Courier)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.

Dundee United will be without defender Ross Graham, 23, for a month after a scan revealed the hamstring injury he suffered against St Mirren is worse than first feared. (Courier - subscription), external

Meanwhile, United manager Jim Goodwin wants players who are out of contract at the end of the season to prove they deserve new deals at Tannadice. (Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Steve asked: If Celtic and Rangers struggle to compete in Europe then complain there's not enough competition to push them in the domestic league, is it time to have a change in revenue distribution in order to make the league more competitive?

Tom answered: You do hear that chat from fans of both clubs, Steve. As if it's the fault of Dundee United and others that they got horsed in Europe last week.

Some of these supporters want it all ways - they want other Scottish teams to be competitive against them in the Premiership so as to better prepare themselves for Europe, but they don't want the likes of Dundee United to be competitive enough so that they might challenge the duopoly. It's tiresome.

Ripping up the the financial distribution model would be a help. A radical reimagining of the finance in the Scottish game would be interesting. It won't change because any suggestion of change would get vetoed if anybody tried.

The big two don't really want change. The status quo works very nicely for them.

And when results in Europe are bad, there's always the fallback option of pointing to an uncompetitive league that they could make a bit more competitive if they wanted to, but don't want to. Round and round we go.

BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering your questions.

Calum asked: Really happy with what United have done so far this season but it could be better. What would you suggest United do to get the best out of our strikers? Seems they don't like taking shots at goal.

Tom answered: Hi Calum. This is a really odd one, isn't it? Dundee United are going well under Jim Goodwin, but the striker situation is curious.

I've checked with Opta and in the league Jort van der Sande has had only two attempts on goal (one on target) in seven Premiership games this season. It's remarkable.

Is that solely down to him or is there a creative issue in this team? Goodwin has assembled a nice team, but it looks like one whose main strengths lie in being hard to beat rather than flamboyance further up the park. Nothing wrong with that, strong foundations are essential. You can't achieve anything without them.

Obviously, Louis Moult has scored a couple of times and others are chipping in here and there, but to take it up a level maybe they need to sign in January.

They need their own Ronan Hale, or somebody of that ilk. There are few good ones in Ireland. I'd bet Big Jim has his eyes on one or two.

In: Richard Odada, midfielder (Philadelphia Union); Jort van der Sande, forward (Den Haag); Meshack Ubochioma, forward (Zalaegerszegi); David Babunski, midfielder (Mezokovesdi Sport Egyesulet); Ryan Strain, defender (St Mirren); Kristijan Trapanovski, forward (Shkupi); Vicko Sevelj, defender (Radomlje); Will Ferry, defender (Cheltenham Town); Dave Richards, goalkeeper (Crewe Alexandra).

Loan in: Luca Stephenson, defender (Liverpool); Emmanuel Adegboyega, defender (Norwich City); Jack Walton, goalkeeper (Luton Town, loan return); Sam Dalby, forward (Wrexham).

Out: Brandon Forbes, forward (Norwich City, undisclosed); Archie Meekison, defender (Bohemian); Sadat Anaku, forward (Sadat Anaku, forward (Kampala Capital City Authority); Scott McMann, defender (Ayr United); David Wotherspoon, midfielder (Dunfermline Athletic); Logan Chalmers, forward (Partick Thistle); Chris Mochrie, midfielder (Dundee United); Layton Bisland, defender (Arbroath); Declan Glass, midfielder (Cove Rangers); Flynn Duffy, defender (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Keir Bertie, midfielder (Montrose); Kai Smith, midfielder (Elgin City); Liam Grimshaw, midfielder; Mark Birighitti, goalkeeper; Craig Moore, midfielder; Flynn Duffy, defender.

Loan ended: Alex Greive, forward (St Mirren); Jordan Tillson, midfielder (Ross County); Sam McClelland, defender (St Johnstone).

Loan out: Tony Watt, forward (Motherwell); Rory MacLeod, forward (Southampton); Jack Newman, goalkeeper (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Lewis O’Donnell, midfielder (Queen of the South); Sam Cleall-Harding, defender (Kelty Hearts); Ruairidh Adams, goalkeeper (Kelty Hearts); Adam Carnwath, midfielder (Cumbernauld Colts); Sean Borland, midfielder (Cumbernauld Colts); Bryan Mwangi, midfielder (Broxburn Athletic).

Read the Scottish Premiership ins & outs in full here.

What would you like to ask Tom English about Dundee United?

Our chief sportswriter is in the hotseat ready to answer your questions and offer his insight and opinion on your club.

Who has been the top performer so far? Is the manager living up to expectations?

Put your questions to Tom here, external.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Dundee United will be taking a sense of satisfaction into this latest international break.

If manager Jim Goodwin takes a step back to assess the campaign so far, he will rightly be very content with what he has seen.

Having been promoted from the Championship, United will have been viewed by some as a team destined for a scrap at the wrong end of the table.

The early evidence suggests something very different. The Tangerines find themselves in the lofty position of fifth, already 10 points clear of the team that finished third last term, Hearts.

Of course there is room for improvement, but one thing that has become clear as the games have ticked by is that Goodwin has assembled a team that appears to know how to get the job done.

The fact they have only lost one of their opening seven Premiership matches bears testament to that. They won ugly at St Mirren last time out, prior to that they came back to secure a very unlikely looking point at Kilmarnock.

That ability to get something – as opposed to nothing – from games which have the potential to go either way is a quality that can carry a team a long way.

Former Dundee United striker Sadat Anaku has returned to Ugandan side Kampala Capital City Authority after an injury-hit spell at Tannadice came to an end in the summer. (The Courier - subscription required, external)

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

We've now reached the second international break of the season and, similar to the first one, we've won the game just before the hiatus.

Back at the start of September we travelled to Tynecastle and won. Now, at the start of October, United have travelled to Paisley and won. Clean sheets in both no less.

Make no mistake, United have done very well up to now. We're seven games into the league campaign and have amassed 12 points. I think all Arabs would have taken that before a ball was kicked back in August. So let's dish out some credit.

In the main, the players have been excellent. Sure, the performances have not all been scintillating, but what they have been is hard working, gritty, determined, roll-the-sleeves-up-and-compete-for-everything kind of performances.

Be strong defensively and you'll give yourself a chance in every game. Sounds simple, but it takes a lot of work to pull it off, so hats off to the team for doing so.

Now to the gaffer. Jim Goodwin wasn't every United fan's cup of tea when he was hired and, truth be told, he still isn't.

But he inherited a team two years ago that had little to none of the qualities of the current squad, and in his time at Tannadice, he has essentially overseen two rebuilds.

The first won the Championship at the first time of asking, and now this season's side, so far, do not look out of place in the top flight.

There will undoubtedly be choppier waters to navigate as the season continues, but this team and manager appear to have the heart, fight and desire to stand up to the upcoming challenges and any testing times that lie ahead.

Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external

Dundee United defender Declan Gallagher will never give up on a Scotland recall but reckons team-mate Ross Graham could beat him to it. (Courier - subscription), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.