Dundee United

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin is urging his side to "get back to winning ways" starting with Sunday's derby at Dens Park.

With just one point from their opening two Premiership fixtures, Goodwin knows it's vital for his team to pick up all three points this weekend if they want to emulate the success of last term.

"We're all looking forward to it," the 43-year-old said.

"The new guys are really looking forward to it because these types of game are the attraction of coming to Scotland.

"We put a presentation together to show the new signings the atmosphere at games like the Dundee derby and they were all pleasantly surprised at how well the supporters turned out and how hostile the atmosphere can be.

"All players are desperate to be involved in games like that and Sunday will be no different."

United have lost the previous two derbies and face a Dundee side now helmed by Steve Pressley.

"There's a lot on the line for the players and for Steven [Pressley] and myself," Goodwin added.

"For the supporters who all want to go to work on Monday morning with the bragging rights.

"We need to get back to winning ways. we've had a really good week's training and there's a real air of excitement building up to this big game.

"I think it's equally important for both teams to get those three points. If we want to go on and have the success we had last season, we need to get back to winning ways."

Goodwin admitted United supporters shouldn't expect to see any more arrivals before Monday night's transfer deadline.

"I think we're pretty much done now," he said.

"The injuries have made us question one or two areas of the squad but given the business we've done, bringing 14 players in, I've got to be grateful to the board and all of the people involved for helping us get the deals over the line.

"Once everyone is back and available we've got a group of players that can really go and challenge in this league."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's derby against Dundee.

Here are the main points:

• The United boss suggests the Tannadice injury crisis is just down to "bad luck" but admits it's the "most bad luck" he's had as a manager.

• Goodwin hails United's "exceptional" transfer window but is "frustrated" at not having all those players available. He admits the club are "pretty much done" with new arrivals.

• Reflecting on the Rapid Vienna defeat, Goodwin says it was a great experience to play in Europe but "really demanding" on his squad.

• Goodwin adds he's frustrated that "we'll never know how well we might have done if we'd had opportunities to rotate the squad".

• The boss says the new players are really looking forward to Sunday's derby and "desperate to be involved".

• He is urging his players to "show passion and desire" on Sunday and stresses the squad know what's expected of them.

• With just one point from the opening two Premiership games United "need to get back to winning ways" with a derby victory.

• The 43-year-old is "really pleased" to add "very, very good player" Nikolaj Moller, who can "fill the void" up front while they wait for Max Watters to return.

• On the injury front, "guys in the treatment room" are working really hard to be back to full fitness but this weekend comes "too soon" for several of the injured players.

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• After their 4-2 victory in March, Dundee could win back-to-back derbies against United in the top flight for the first time since November 2004 under Jim Duffy.

• There have been 17 goals in the past four Scottish Premiership meetings between Dundee (nine goals) and United (eight goals), an average of 4.3 per game.

• Dundee have only won one of their past 12 home league games (D4 L7), a 2-0 victory over St Mirren in April.

• Dundee United have won just one of their past seven league matches (D1 L5), beating Aberdeen 2-1 on the final day of last term.

• Dundee have both had the fewest shots (15) and faced the most shots (47) of any side in the Scottish Premiership this season so far.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

For all there was to like about Jim Goodwin's Dundee United last season, they were only able to muster one win from four derbies.

Refreshed after a weekend off, they will be desperate to prevail at Dens Park on Sunday in the first Dundee derby of this campaign.

For the fans, getting the bragging rights is hugely important. But this game is about the bigger picture.

Injury-hit United have taken one point from their opening two league games and Goodwin knows the importance of getting a win sooner rather than later.

In fact his team are without victory in five games in all competitions while shipping an alarming haul of 11 goals, although he has had to contend with an eye-watering injury list.

It is early days in the campaign, and things can change very quickly, but this is a hugely important fixture.

A victory at the home of your neighbours would be the perfect launchpad to kick on and get a positive run going.

Oh and it would also secure those bragging rights, for a few months anyway.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

We're still in August, the sun is shining and autumn is right around the corner, but already derby week has crept up on us like that takeaway curry that you swore was mild.

For United's new players, this is baptism of fire. Forget easing yourself into Scottish football with a comfy game against Brechin (no offence Brechin).

No, you're marched into battle up Tannadice Street, trying not to get clipped by an Asda delivery van, before heading straight into the cauldron of Dens.

Dundee, of course, have the bragging rights from the last two derbies. And while those games weren't exactly played in black-and-white television days, it still feels like two completely different teams lining up this time.

United's squad turnover has been drastic. Fourteen new players have come in, but most have looked very good, albeit in the small sample size we have seen of them.

Dundee haven't stood still either. From the outside it looks like they've plugged the holes in their defence, but possibly at the cost of the attacking swagger that made them relatively entertaining last season.

United, on the other hand, have built a team that, on paper, looks like it could thrill once everyone's fit. But while we've added some flair, we seem to have also developed a defensive frailty that wasn't really in the script.

Basically, we've gone from Fort Knox to a garden shed with a dodgy padlock in about three months.

Which makes this derby utterly impossible to call. It could go any way - a scrappy 0–0, a six-goal thriller, or a bizarre 3-2 where the winner goes in off someone's backside in the 94th minute.

And let's not kid ourselves on, this is worth more than three points. This is about bragging rights, dignity, reputation and, in my case, whether or not my desk on Monday morning looks like a shrine to Simon Murray.

After the last two defeats, I shuffled into the office to find my workstation plastered with his face. It was on my keyboard, taped to my monitor, even laminated on to my chair.

I couldn't even look at the guy without hearing my colleagues' muffled giggles from behind their screens.

So, please, footballing gods, let this be the week when I get to channel my inner Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Let me be the one choosing the wallpaper, carefully selecting pictures of United's goalscorers, artistically arranging them across the office like I'm on Changing Rooms: Banter Edition.

It's my turn to redecorate. It's my turn to gloat. It's my turn to casually hum Beautiful Sunday as I refill the communal kettle.

Just one win, lads, that's all I ask. Just one.

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

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Kai Fotheringham has joined St Johnstone from Dundee United for an undisclosed fee.

United say "the deal also includes performance-based add ons and a sizeable sell-on fee".

The Scotland Under-21 forward, 22, made his United debut in October 2020 and has made 123 senior appearances, which includes games on loan at Falkirk, Raith Rovers, Cove Rangers and Stirling Albion. Fotheringham has scored 21 club goals.

He joins a St Johnstone side top of the Scottish Championship after three league wins out of three.

Image source, Getty Images

New Dundee United striker Nikolaj Moller is a "terrific physical profile" who is "perfectly suited to the combative nature" of Scottish football, says manager Jim Goodwin.

The Swedish forward has arrived from Swiss top-flight side St Gallen on an initial two-year deal, with a club-held option of an additional year.

A former Arsenal, Bologna and Malmo youth player, the 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Stromsgodset in Norway, scoring five goals in 24 games.

"He's more than just a traditional target man," Goodwin said of his new recruit, who scored once in 23 games for St Gallen.

"He has the rare blend of height, technical ability and raw pace, which allows him to play with his back to goal and link the game, or stretch opposition defences with selfless runs into the channels.

"These attributes gave him the opportunity to learn within some elite footballing environments during his formative years, and he's a more well-rounded player thanks to those experiences.

"At just 23, Nikolaj has already tested himself across numerous European countries, all with different cultures on and off the park - that speaks volumes about his adaptability and ambition.

"We believe Tannadice is the right environment for him to settle, develop further and showcase his talents at senior level."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

New arrival Ivan Dolcek is already impressing at Dundee United.

The Croatian winger, who joined from Slovakian side Dunajska Streda on a season-long loan in July, has made an instant impact with three goals in two league games to sit joint top of the Premiership goal chart.

A delve into the Opta data illustrates his potency. Dolcek's xG (expected goals) is just 0.88, highlighting his lethal finishing, and the 25-year-old tucked away the one 'big chance' that came his way.

He is averaging a goal every 59.7 minutes and has also scored all three of his shots on target, while having just nine touches in the opposition box.

The winger, who can also operate at left-back, is proving his defensive abilities too. Only Panutche Camara and Miller Thomson have a better tackle success rate than Dolcek. He has also won possession nine times - only Craig Sibbald and Camara have a higher tally.

With the games coming thick and fast there will be plenty more opportunities for Dolcek to showcase his abilities at both ends of the pitch.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

A tired and injury-hit Dundee United squad have a weekend off as their scheduled opponents Aberdeen focus on European commitments instead - a blessing in disguise for Jim Goodwin.

First and foremost, the break provides a little spell of respite amid what has been a frantic start to United's campaign.

It also gives manager Jim Goodwin time to step back and reflect on the start his new-look side have made.

There has been a lot to like so far, particularly their impressive - if ultimately unsuccessful - showings against Rapid Vienna on the continental stage. But there will also be cause for concern.

In their last five matches, across all competitions, United have conceded 11 goals.

There are some mitigating circumstances, the main one being the selection problems which have dogged the early stages of their season. Even so, it is going to be very difficult for the Tangerines to win games if they continue to lose goals at that rate.

Goodwin must find a way of plugging those leaks at the back. If he can, then there is absolutely no reason at all why his team cannot go on and enjoy another fine campaign.

If he can't, then a season which promises plenty could turn into a real slog.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

It's been a tough few days as a United fan.

Despite going out on penalties on Thursday night, you couldn't help but feel proud.

The effort, the spirit, the togetherness was all there. Every player gave everything, and we matched a decent European side over two legs. The crowd at Tannadice played their part too. It felt like a proper big night again.

Fast forward to Sunday and it's hard to feel anything but flat.

Yes, the squad's stretched. Yes, it's been a brutal schedule. But to go out of the League Cup with a whimper hurts. We never got going. Kilmarnock were streetwise, organised and we didn't ask enough questions - or defend well.

The contrast between Thursday's fire and Sunday's fizzle was hard to watch.

Two competitions gone in the space of four days. That's a sore one. You can understand the fatigue, but it doesn't make it easier to swallow.

The support has been incredible by travelling, turning up and singing their hearts out. All we want is to see our team give themselves a chance.

We'll dust ourselves down and go again. The league now becomes everything until the Scottish Cup comes round in January.

We've seen enough already to know this group is capable, but if we want to build something lasting then we can't keep letting these opportunities pass us by.

Plenty of football still to play. But we need a response. And fast.

Paul can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external

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Luca Stephenson thinks his pre-season experience with Liverpool has improved him as a player as he begins a second loan period with Dundee United.

The 21-year-old signed a new contract at Anfield after featuring four times in summer friendlies.

"It's sometimes a bit of an eye-opener when you play with players of that quality," he said.

"I thought I had a really good season up here last year, and then you go back there and you see there's other levels to the game.

"I'm just hoping what I learnt over the six weeks while I was with them in pre-season, can I bring that here, can I show people what I've learnt off them? And I know I'm only young, but can I help other people?"

On his conversations with Reds manager Arne Slot, Stephenson explained: "He watched an awful lot of me last year, whether it was live games on the telly or through clips, and I think he enjoyed how I came on.

"I think he's seen another improvement from me when I came back into pre-season, so the message from him was quite clear - to go and do the same again, step up another level if it's possible."

Stephenson played 33 consecutive league games for United last season before undergoing double hernia surgery.

"Being on loan, it's not the easiest thing in the world, knowing you're only going to be in places for a short amount of time, a year here, a year there," he added.

"I wanted to be somewhere I was happy, I was comfortable. I liked the dressing room, I liked the manager and I wanted to be somewhere where I was appreciated."

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 2-1 defeat against Kilmarnock in the Scottish League Cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Joe: Another cup disappointment but thought we showed a lot of quality in the first half. We were dead on our feet in the second half but not overly concerned to lose that game, very excited about what this team is capable of. Bring on the derby, if we can't beat them them then I'll start to worry.

Andy: Dreadful performance I'm afraid. So disappointing after so many good performances. There was nothing good to take from today and even worse another injury!

Jack: Another injury will really put us in a dangerous situation. Hopefully the team gels a bit more during the break. If I was Jim Goodwin I would get the defence sorted out ASAP.

Jamie: The management of the players now needs to be questioned. How can we have between six to eight players out injured for the first five games of a season? Goodwin should have played a lot of the young players against Hearts to give others rest. Now we are going into a Dundee Derby with Owen Stirton as our only striker. Sort it out United!

Lee: United's defence was the jewel in their crown last season now it's a mess. The new boys, and in particular Iurie Iovu, have struggled and the team keep losing goals at set pieces. Goodwin needs to sort that out. He could start by putting Sam Harding in the team who's a much better player than the defenders he's brought in. Scottish football needs to ditch these old pieces of carpet they call artificial pitches. Every time United play on them someone gets injured and this time it was Max Watters.

Kieran: I think the result was a foregone conclusion before the ball was kicked but my word we could not have made it any easier for Killie for score. For the first goal, the gaping hole in defence was laughable - you could have literally parked a bus in there. The second goal was just as embarrassing. Again lessons not learned from cross balls into the box which is ironic seeing as we are meant to have some of the tallest defenders in our ranks. That's every game bar UNA Strassen we have conceded two-plus goals. Even so early on it is alarming especially with the derby next up.

Returning captain Brad Lyons netted the winner against Dundee United as Kilmarnock set up a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at home to St Mirren.

Read the match report here

Have your say on the game

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We always had a concern about this afternoon's fixture given the exploits on Thursday night.

"The boys have played 120 minutes of football on Thursday, very little time to recover for the game, Kilmarnock were the fresher team and I think that showed. But that's no excuse for some of the goals we conceded.

"The first goal was shocking, the second goal is embarrassing. We've had numerous warnings in the last couple of games, we've not dealt with a wide free-kick.

"I thought the game overall wasn't a great spectacle. In the second half we offered very little.

"We find ourselves going out far too early at this stage of the cup competition. The real frustration from us is that we haven't been undone by wonderful football, today we've not defended situations well enough. I had a feeling we'd run out of energy in the second half and that's what happened.

"I don't know what we've done to deserve the bad fortune that we've had since we've come back from pre-season. We thought we had finely tuned the players. I think Max Watters' injury is a fatigue injury.

"He's put a lot into the last couple of weeks, he came late into the team, he sprinted for that ball and felt something go behind his leg. We don't know what the damage is, we'll have to get another scan but the injury list is a joke at the moment. We're going without some really important players and we're asking a lot of those we do have available."

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Dundee United striker Zac Sapsford is facing up to four weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury against Rapid Vienna.

The forward won his side a penalty in their Conference League defeat at Tannadice on Thursday night but strained an ankle ligament in the process.

Having been replaced by Amar Fatah in the squad for Sunday's League Cup game against Kilmarnock, manager Jim Goodwin confirmed the extent of Sapsford's injury.

"Fatah is in the team today because of the injury to Zac Sapsford that he picked up in the build-up to the penalty where he got wiped out," Goodwin said.

"That's a major disappointment for us because he's been a real key player for us up until now.

"It's a strained ankle ligament injury so those types of injuries can take anything from two to four weeks.

"He's a young lad, he'll heal quickly. Majorly disappointed not to have him in a really important game today."

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Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin is confident he can "get them going" following Thursday's Conference League disappointment.

United lost on penalties to Rapid Vienna in the third qualifying round and the Tangerines face a Sunday trip to Rugby Park to take on Kilmarnock in the Premier Sports Cup second round.

"I don't think it will be difficult to get them going," said Goodwin. "I do obviously have a concern around about the energy levels within the group.

"A number of the players have had to play every minute of every game this season so far, given the amount of players we have missing.

"It was my first time as manager being involved in European football and I can respect what other managers and teams have had to go through in years gone by and I can see how difficult it is to get that balance right.

"When you're missing seven or eight key players like we have been over the last three or four weeks, then it makes that all the more difficult, unfortunately."

Forward Max Watters, 26, believes Dundee United will only get better after narrowly missing out on the Conference League play-off round. (Courier - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland

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Defender Bert Esselink says Dundee United must aim to be back in Europe next season after showing they can compete in continental competition.

Jim Goodwin's side led 4-2 on aggregate against a Rapid Vienna side who reached the quarter-finals last season, before ultimately going out of Conference League qualifying at Tannadice on Thursday on penalties.

"We have to strive for that again," said Esselink, who joined United in the summer.

"I think as a team we are capable of good things. We showed we can be part of these competitions and that we can compete with these kinds of teams.

"That's something we can be proud of and have to strive for again until the end of the season."

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We asked for your views on Dundee United's defeat on penalties to Rapid Vienna in the Conference League third qualifying round.

Here are some of your comments:

Richard: Shoutout to the fans, that was the best atmosphere I've experienced at Tannadice. First-half performance was incredible, second half for some reason we sit back and invite them to score. You could see extra time coming a mile off, such a disappointing approach to the second 45 minutes. At least we have some more time now for the injured players to recover!

Rob: The result is hard to take, but let's look at the positives. So many performances from so many players, all over the park. To a man, we were superb, especially in that first half. Credit to Jim Goodwin and his staff - this United team can play and it can fight. Everyone connected with the club should be very, very proud of this team.

Kieran: If there was any game to show two sides to football this was it. From sheer delirium at half-time to utter devastation at the end. Again the frustration from most fans would be we let an another lead slip but overall we have immense pride for the team. They left everything and more out on the park to take a quality team like Rapid all the way to penalties. The team can only get better from here.

Stephen: Conflicted pride at the end. I can't ask for any more from those players. They left it all out on the pitch and for one strike hitting the frame we are out and I'm as gutted as I am proud of the effort. Nobody gave us a hope yet we came so close with a brand new squad that's still yet getting to know one another. It's done so on to the League Cup then the league with optimism.

Nathan: Immensely proud of the team. It's the manner of defeat that's sickening. Two up with 30 minutes to go and then lose by one penalty in a shootout.

Jamie: Never thought I'd see a Rapid Vienna side playing for penalties. Owen Stirton's chance in extra time will haunt us for a long time. I'd also like to say how disappointed I am in whoever runs the music at Tannadice. They made Fatah wait for 30 seconds to take his penalty when he was ready to go. Gutted for the players.

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Former Dundee United striker Billy Dodds on BBC Sportsound

United took four good penalties and Amar Fatah's wasn't bad, it just it the post, he struck it well, just off direction. They should be so proud because this was a good team they were playing against.

I think United should've won it in injury time. It was the old rollercoaster. You can see this Dundee United team growing. They have to take the positives. His team are gelling. This team are going places.

Former United coach Tony Docherty on BBC Sportsound

United deserve great credit. Dundee United have taken a real quality Rapid Vienna team to penalty kicks. For Jim [Goodwin], I'm disappointed for him but he'll take huge pride from that performance.

They took this tie right to the death against a really, really strong opponent. The standard of penalties at the end there was outstanding and that's the determining factor.

Former Dundee defender Cammy Kerr on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast

It goes to show how far United have come. There's a real foundation at United now.

I know for a fact Jim Goodwin definitely fancied their chances taking Rapid back to Tannadice at 2-2. Extremely unlucky. It's always kind of that luck when you go to penalties.

Midfielder Luca Stephenson, 21, harboured hopes of returning to Dundee United on loan from Liverpool before securing a second loan at Tannadice this week. (Record), external

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