Dundee United

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has hailed the impact their loan players have made this season, saying they have all done "brilliantly" since they came to Tannadice.

United are looking to continue their fine start to the season when they travel to play fifth-placed Motherwell on Saturday.

Goodwin believes the role played by their quartet of loan players - Jack Walton, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Luca Stephenson and Sam Dalby - has been a key part of the continued upward progress of his side.

"Emmanuel has become a better player in a short period of time from working here at United and playing week in, week out," Goodwin said.

"Luca has been a breath of fresh air since he came to the club, a great attitude in training and his performances on the pitch are always very consistent.

"The loan lads have come in and done brilliantly for us, obviously Jack was here previously and Sam at the top end of the pitch, banging in goals for fun.

"Right through the spine of the team, they are all really important players for us. It would be great if we could continue to do that good work in the loan market because it is something we have to continue to look at."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premiership trip to Motherwell.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• He says his side are looking to "make amends" after dropping two points against Kilmarnock last time out.

• With just two points separating United and Motherwell in the table, Goodwin admits there is "a lot riding on the game for both teams" adding that Motherwell have had a "terrific season" to this point.

• United officials held talks with Scottish FA head of refereeing Willie Collum in the aftermath of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock - Goodwin says "a few decisions in the game we were a little bit confused by", and that the club wanted "a bit of clarity".

• He believes his squad is going to be stretched over the next few weeks during the busy festive period, a spell he believes is "the most significant" period of the campaign so far.

• Will Ferry - who Goodwin called "one of the signings of the season" - is suspended, but Kristijan Trapanovski could be in the matchday squad.

Image source, SNS

• Motherwell have won their last two league meetings with Dundee United, last winning three in a row against the Tangerines in September 2009.

• Dundee United are unbeaten in five Scottish Premiership games (W2 D3), their longest such run since February 2022 (also five), last going longer without defeat in the competition in October 2021 (seven) – when their sixth game was a win over Motherwell (2-1).

• Motherwell are unbeaten in seven league meetings with newly-promoted opposition (W3 D4) since a 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock in August 2022. At home, the Steelmen are unbeaten in eight against such opponents (W5 D3) since a 1-0 loss to Dundee United in August 2020.

• Motherwell have lost three of their last four home league games (W1), as many as their previous 12 beforehand (W5 D4).

• Motherwell's 18-year-old Lennon Miller has won possession more times (103) than any player in the Scottish Premiership this season.

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Defender Emmanuel Adegboyega, 21 will remain on loan at Dundee United for the rest of the season, parent club Norwich City's head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has confirmed. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views on Dundee United's new video-game-inspired, purple third kit.

Here's what some of you said:

David: More for fans to fork out. Third kits are just rip-offs.

Ross: My son loves it, I hate it. Sums up the generation gap.

Jamie: Brutal? Rancid? Ghastly? Take your pick. What do pink and purple have to do with Dundee United? Our kits should be tangerine, and then black or white for away or third. A reversed version of our home kit, mainly black with tangerine trimming, would have been ideal. Fed up with these so-called 'eye-catching' kits. An assault on the eyes if you ask me.

Leon: I think it's going to be a miss from me; the thought behind it was good, execution leaves to be desired.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

When the conversations take place about who has been the signing of the season in the Scottish Premiership - on the body of evidence so far, Dundee United striker Sam Dalby has got to be in the mix.

When he arrived on loan from Wrexham in the summer, United fans would have been forgiven for thinking 'Sam who?'

After all, with a CV consisting of clubs in the English lower leagues, the 25-year-old wasn't exactly a household name.

Well, he is a household name now, certainly in those of a Tangerine persuasion anyway.

The impact Dalby has made since he checked in to the City of Discovery has been nothing short of sensational.

In the 13 games he has played, he has netted six times – those goals all coming in his last eight outings.

He has become an integral figure in an on-form United team that are flying high in fourth spot in the Premiership.

But success will undoubtedly bring attention from elsewhere.

Manager Jim Goodwin has said "we want to be at the table" when it comes to discussions about the long-term future of Dalby, who is a free agent at the end of the season.

However, if the player keeps up his rich vein of scoring form, there could well be plenty of others at that table.

If he can help fire United into Europe, the lure of continental football would certainly help the Tannadice side when it comes to making their pitch to keep him at the club longer term.

Image source, BBC Sport

Dundee United have held talks with referees chief Willie Collum in the aftermath of the 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock (Courier - subscription required)., external

Meanwhile Kristijan Trapanovski is set to return to the Dundee United fold following five weeks on the sidelines (Courier)., external

Image source, Dundee United

Dundee United have launched their new third kit, which is inspired by the city's "world-renowned history in technological and video game development".

The purple strip, which will be used in the remainder of the current season, features a "striking, pixelated pattern".

Dundee is known for being the home of iconic games such as Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto.

The limited edition kit will be available for United fans to purchase from Wednesday morning.

What do you make of the bold new strip? Is it a stylish winner or garish fashion faux pas?

Let us know your thoughts., external

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Loan players. Ask any punter and they'll likely tell you they can be hit or miss.

At Tannadice, we've had a few crackers over the years, none more so than cup-winning hero Andy Webster. But we've also had some not so memorable loanees. I'll spare their embarrassment.

This season, however, we have Jack Walton, Manny Adegboyega, Luca Stephenson and big Sam Dalby. So far, they have all been a resounding success.

Jack was our league-winning goalkeeper last season and it felt like a no-brainer to try to get him back to the club this term. He was a massive upgrade on what went before him and was a steady and calming influence between the sticks all last season. I'm pleased to report that form has continued.

Manny has come in from Norwich and become an integral part of a more than solid rearguard, improving every week and forging a great understanding with Declan Gallacher and Kevin Holt.

He always plays the game with a smile on his face and has more than a touch of flair too. Given he has not long turned 21, he is one that I fully expect to have an excellent career in the game.

Luca was brought in from Liverpool and that instantly gave him a little credit among fans. He has filled a number of different roles this season and with the exception of a rush of blood to the head at Motherwell in the League Cup, he has not let anyone down and is surely one of the first names on the teamsheet each week. Cool, calm and exceptionally consistent.

Big Sam. Deemed surplus to requirements at Wrexham, Jim Goodwin was delighted to be able to convince him to come north for a year and score goals for a team in Tangerine.

He has not let anyone down and looks like he could score in every game he plays. He's big, he's strong, he's always on the move, and most importantly, he knows where the goal is.

So the Dundee United loan class of 24-25 is shaping up to be a good one. And who knows, a couple of them may even become permanent additions.

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

Sam Dalby: Not quite Hollywood blockbuster, but what a success the Dundee United striker's loan from Wrexham has been. On his 25th birthday he got on the scoresheet again and hit the post in another impressive display.

Watch highlights as Dundee United draw 1-1 against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership. (UK only)

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United "want to be at the table" when it comes to deciding Sam Dalby's future, says manager Jim Goodwin.

Dalby scored his sixth goal since joining on loan from Wrexham in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

"We want to be at the table when those conversations need to take place," said Goodwin.

"Right now we're not wanting any distractions. Sam and his representatives know where we are and they know that we would love the big fellow to stay longer term."

Meanwhile, Dalby said it was "special" scoring a goal on his 25th birthday.

The Englishman stooped to head in the opener in the draw with Kilmarnock.

It came soon after Killie had to replace the injured Robby McCrorie with Kieran O'Hara, who could only parry David Babunski's effort before Dalby reacted to divert in the rebound.

"They had to bring a sub goalkeeper on, so naturally I try to gamble every time we have a shot," said the on-loan Wrexham player.

"Thankfully that paid off and I got my goal. Any goal is special and helps the team, but it's nice to get one on my birthday.

"We're still unbeaten in five but three points would have been nice."

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: Should have seen the game out, but the wonder that is VAR came in and probably equalled up last week's debatable penalties. Good game considering conditions but maybe we should have put on the substitutions earlier.

Jamie: The fact Killie fans celebrated the draw like a win says it all. United dominated for large spells and it should have been at least 1-0 at half time. It was clear from very early on in the game that the referee was looking to even the score after the controversial calls against St Mirren. Sam Dalby was punched in the box and the lunge on Vicko Sevelj was ignored.

Matthew: Foolish play this week cost us a penalty and two points. I love how well we've done so far but hope we don't regret these draws come the end of season.

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• Dundee United are undefeated in their last five games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 1 February 2022 to 26 February 2022.

• Kilmarnock have failed to win in their last six games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from May 2024 to September 2024, a run of eight games.

• Dundee United have lost 10 points from winning positions in the Premiership this season, only Hibernian (16) have lost more.

• Kilmarnock have won 11 points from losing positions in the Premiership this season, more than any other team.

Did you take in Dundee United's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock or following the match from home?

Have your say on the match, external

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Over the whole piece, we did enough to win the game. First half, I felt we had really good control. Second half, a little bit different. Jack Walton has had to make a couple of good saves. Delighted to get our noses in front with the goal that we scored.

"There are a few decisions then thereafter that I think will be talking points on the Sportscene show tonight. Sam Dalby feels that the goalkeeper, [Kieran] O'Hara, has completely wiped him out for that cross that's come in the box. I'm not sure there's much contact from the goalkeeper on the ball and there's certainly a punch to the head and a knee in the back for Dalby. That's one that could go either way.

"The penalty that we give ourselves, it's really, really soft. It's similar to the one that we got last week [against St Mirren] on Kevin Holt. It was my concern, I must admit, coming into the game this week the amount of song and dance that was made about the penalty decision on Kevin Holt.

"We want to be at the table when those conversations [regarding on-loan Wrexham player Dalby] need to take place but right now we're not wanting any distractions. Sam and his representatives know where we are and they know that we would love the big fellow to stay longer term."

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

After such a bright start, the fear for United was that they would rue not taking their early chances. As the match wore on, openings became more sparse

Sam Dalby continues to be a problem for defences but strike partner Louis Moult, making his first start since September, looked short of match sharpness.

Ferry and Strain were a consistent supply line for the forwards and Babunski's influence grew in the second half.

When Dalby's goal eventually arrived, it was deserved and they will be frustrated not to have taken all three points.

Dundee United forward Sam Dalby marked his 25th birthday with a headed goal and also hit the post against Kilmarnock.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin expects to be selecting from an unchanged squad, with Ross Docherty (calf), Craig Sibbald (groin) and Kristijan Trapanovski (hamstring) still absent.

Kilmarnock defender Joe Wright is set to brave some bruising to his forehead after concussion was ruled out following his early exit against Rangers.

Matty Kennedy (back) is unlikely to return while Derek McInnes has other unnamed fitness concerns. Stuart Findlay (ankle) is a long-term absentee and Kyle Magennis is edging close to a return.