Opening Scottish Championship fixture
Middleton opens scoring after defensive error
Cudjoe scores second with cute chip
Sibbald and Moult add clinical finishes
United were relegated from Premiership in May
Arbroath narrowly escaped relegation
Arbroath have not beaten United at Gayfield since 1969
Moult starts for United; Gallagher makes competitive debut
Captain Obrein back for Arbroath; Emergency loan keeper Welsh on bench
HT: Arbroath 0-4 Dundee United
Leanne Crichton
Former Scotland international on BBC Scotland
An unbelievable half from Dundee United, they really look bang at it.
Up top, Louis Moult has had the two centre-halves on toast.
HT: Arbroath 0-4 Dundee United
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Scotland
Louis Moult...he's man of the match already and it's halftime!
He looks sensational, he looks sharp, he looks hungry.
He's been at the heart of everything.
The SPFL is well and truly back! Dundee United might just be back too.
Middleton's low strike opened the scoring after Arbroath's Balde surrendered possession in bizarre fashion in the middle of the park.
Their second came from a smart dink by Cudjoe after a sensational Moult pass set him free before Sibbald got on the end of a flick-on that also came from Moult.
Who assisted Middleton's opener, you ask? Louis Moult. Looking like a decent signing so far.
Oh, aye, he then decided to add his name to the scoresheet at the very end of the half thanks to a precision pass from Cudjoe and a venomous shot back across goal.
Just what scoreline is this game going to finish with?
Image source, SNSDundee United's Mathew Cudjoe celebrates after making it 2-0
Louis Moult
Cudjoe returns the favour as he slips Louis Moult in on goal with a smart slide-rule pass.
His powerful finish back across goal leaves Gaston with no chance.
What a first half.
Image source, BBC SportArbroath 0-3 Dundee United
Arbroath win a corner after some tireless play from Leighton McIntosh on the edge of the area.
It's easily dealt with by United's man on the front post though as Arbroath struggle to find a way back into the game prior to the interval.
Craig Sibbald
He came close mere minutes ago, and he's now got his first goal of the season.
A pass is floated towards Louis Moult and his flick-on is weighted perfectly for the onrushing Sibbald.
He continues with purpose into the box and dispatches ruthlessly from inside the area.
What a start for Jim Goodwin's side.
Image source, BBC SportArbroath 0-2 Dundee United
Every United attack is looking ominous for Arbroath.
Sibbald knocks it to Cudjoe down the line, it comes back inside to Tony Watt who then plays a lovely first-time pass to Sibbald who continues his run to the by-line.
His cross is blocked in the end but it's a tremendous bit of play.
Arbroath 0-2 Dundee United
Moult drives into the box and wins a corner for his side, it eventually finds its way to Craig Sibbald on the edge of the box.
His left-footed effort curls towards goal and dips, but just not enough, as it cracks the top of the bar.
So, so close to a third for United.
Arbroath 0-2 Dundee United
Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland at Gayfield
Simply a stunning goal.
Lovely little ball from Louis Moult, and a magnificently cool finish from Matthew Cudjoe has United deservedly in the driving seat.
The cracking away support are delighted, it’s safe to say.
Arbroath 0-2 Dundee United
The home side look to respond with some smart play getting them into the final third.
Jay Bird, Ryan Dow and Joaoa Balde all combine but they can't find the final ball into the box and United regain possession after a throw-in for the hosts.
Mathew Cudjoe
A sensational pass from Louis Moult frees Cudjoe to have a run at goal unopposed.
Derek Gaston makes his way to meet him on the edge of the box but the United player's dinked finish leaves him stranded as United stretch their advantage.
That's his first-ever goal for Dundee United!
Image source, BBC SportArbroath 0-1 Dundee United
Tony Watt slips past Craig Slater on the half-turn but the latter doesn't let him drive towards goal as he hauls him down.
A booking for his troubles makes the one-time United man the first to receive a caution tonight.
Arbroath 0-1 Dundee United
The breathless start hasn't let up as United continue to press.
They're enjoying plenty of possession and are taking their time to find the gap to exploit in the Arbroath backline.
Cudjoe finds himself in a good position on the edge of the box but can't release Tony Watt as the ball is caught under his feet.
Arbroath 0-0 Dundee United
Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland at Gayfield
That opener has been coming since the whistle blew…what a counter-attack.
Already I’ve counted five errors from Joao Balde and from a mile off you could sense he might play a part in a United goal.
I’m unfortunately perched right behind the Arbroath dugout and they’re raging.
Dick Campbell has already trotted down from his seat on to the touchline…far from the start he wanted.
Arbroath 0-1 Dundee United
Arbroath almost hit back immediately as Ryan Dow's shot takes a deflection on its way towards goal.
Jack Walton gets down smartly in the United goal to knock it away, though.
Glenn Middleton
A ruthless counter-attack from United.
Joao Balde inexplicably knocks a pass straight to the feet of Louis Moult in the centre of the park and in turn, he sends United on the counter.
Glenn Middleton makes a blistering run off his left-hand side and fires a low, driving shot back across goal to open the scoring.
Image source, BBC SportArbroath 0-0 Dundee United
Another chance for United,, This time Louis Moult is denied by Derek Gaston.
Ryan Dow then launches the hosts into an immediate counter-attack, but Declan Gallagher deals with the danger for his side.
A fast-paced start to say the least.
Arbroath 0-0 Dundee United
Scott McMann has a golden opportunity to open the scoring, but his effort is blocked on the line.
His close-range strike came as it fell to him from a corner.
A bright start from United.
Arbroath 0-0 Dundee United
A peep from referee Don Robertson's whistle and the 2023/2024 SPFL league season commences.
Here we go!
Arbroath v Dundee United (19:45)
Thumbs up for an Abroath opening-day win
Thumbs down for a Dundee United win on the road to start the league season
Image source, SNSArbroath mascot Smokie Joe is ready, are you?