Morning Line: Dundee United

The Courier reports that Mehdi Merghem and Will Ferry are set to miss Saturday’s trip to St Johnstone. Jim Goodwin says Merghem may return to training before Aberdeen visit Tannadice on the twenty-fourth of October. Ferry is being assessed week by week because of muscular discomfort.

Jim Goodwin says United’s start should please owner Mark Ogren, who is due at St Johnstone on Saturday. Goodwin says the chairman’s priority is a winning team, with player sales secondary to results, and that the club is aiming for a top six finish and a cup run to Hampden.

For supporters planning ahead, tickets for United’s trip to Celtic on Wednesday the twenty-eighth of October are now on sale, with prices on the club website.

Sources:
The Courier
The Courier
Dundee United Football Club

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

The Courier reports that Jim Goodwin accepts he sometimes left Bert Esselink too exposed against quick attackers last season, and now praises the defender’s professionalism, determination and resilience in reclaiming his place. Esselink has started both of United’s back-to-back league wins and clean sheets.

The Courier also reports that Jim Goodwin says captain Ross Graham remains an important leader despite losing his place, with Bert Esselink and Michael Forbes currently established at centre-back. Goodwin says Graham’s attitude in training has been exemplary, and that he is still club captain.

For Saturday’s match at St Johnstone, the home club says parking at McDiarmid Park is now cashless. Cars will be held for about ten minutes after full-time to let pedestrians leave safely.

In the B team, United lost two-one away to Montrose in the KDM Evolution Trophy last night. Dundee United say Scott Hamilton scored, and had a late equaliser ruled out for offside.

Loan Watch. Miller Thomson made his Stenhousemuir debut off the bench as they lost two-nil at Inverness on Saturday, their first league defeat of the season. The Falkirk Herald reports manager Marvin Bartley praised his versatility. He says Thomson can play both wing-back roles and as a number ten. Bartley spoke to former United boss Liam Fox and to Craig Sibbald, who played alongside him. Stenhousemuir are still two points clear at the top and host Raith Rovers on Saturday.

Sources:
The Courier
Dundee United Football Club
Dundee United Football Club
The Courier
St Johnstone Football Club
Dundee United Football Club
SPFL
Falkirk Herald
SPFL

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

Jim Goodwin says United have nothing to fear at St Johnstone after back-to-back league wins. He says most of this week’s work will focus on United’s own game, while still respecting the quality in the Saints squad.

Lyall Cameron says Jim Goodwin has given him the freedom to play. He told BBC Scotland he is getting into good positions and being positive on the ball, and that he will keep trying to thread passes even when some are intercepted, because he has the manager’s backing. He hopes to add goals and assists to help United win.

For Saturday’s trip to Perth, United’s general admission allocation in the Ormond Stand is sold out. Family Stand tickets remain, but each group must include a child under thirteen. St Johnstone says the Ormond Stand will open at half past one, with a new cordon and extra stewards and police around the away end before and after the match.

Dundee United B take on Montrose in the Challenge Cup tonight. Kick-off is at a quarter to eight.

Loan Watch. Matthew Mudie scored Spartans’ second goal just after half-time in their three-one win at Edinburgh City on Saturday.

Sources:
Dundee United Football Club
Dundee United Football Club
BBC Sport
Dundee United Football Club
St Johnstone Football Club
SPFL
SPFL
Dundee United Football Club

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

The Courier reports that Will Ferry missed Saturday’s one-nil win over Hibs after picking up a knock during United’s Portugal camp, with Jim Goodwin praising Kevin Ciubotaru’s two strong performances in his place as evidence of the squad’s depth.

United are now sixth in the Premiership after Sunday’s fixtures. St Johnstone moved above them on goal difference with a one-nil win at Aberdeen. Josh Fowler scored a fourteenth-minute penalty, and goalkeeper Toby Steward made several important saves as Saints earned their first away victory of the season. The sides meet at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, level on eleven points from eight matches. Dundee sit two points ahead of both in fourth.

In the Women’s game, United are away to Hamilton at New Douglas Park on Sunday. Kick-off is at half past two.

Loan Watch. Scott Constable was sent off after nine minutes of Arbroath’s two-one home defeat to Greenock Morton on Saturday. His fellow United loanee Charlie Dewar was credited with an own goal in the fiftieth minute and went off in the sixty-third. In the same league, Owen Stirton started for Ayr United and was replaced after seventy-seven minutes in their one-all draw with Dunfermline, where Samuel Cleall-Harding started in defence.

Elsewhere, Football Italia reports that former United winger Amar Fatah scored his first Lecce goal with a second-half header, although Bologna won the Serie A match two-one.

Sources:
The Courier
St Johnstone FC
SPFL
Dundee United FC
Scottish Women's Premier League
Arbroath FC
Dunfermline Athletic FC
Football Italia

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

Dundee United have their first home league win of the season. Daniel Bennie’s thirty-fifth-minute goal beat Hibs one-nil at Tannadice. Jim Goodwin kept the same starting eleven that won three-nil at St Mirren. The victory lifted United to fifth overnight, with eleven points from eight matches.

Hibs made the brighter start, but United took control as the first half developed. Jesse Randall twice tested goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, while Bennie sent two efforts off target before breaking through. A cross was only partly cleared, Lyall Cameron lifted the ball back into the six-yard area, and Bennie forced it home for his first United goal.

United kept creating after the break. Bennie arrived onto a Kevin Ciubotaru cross but put the chance wide, then had another effort blocked after Randall’s cut-back. Late on, Neil Farrugia was brought down by Hibs substitute Jacob Devaney. The initial penalty became a free-kick after a VAR review because the foul was outside the area, and Devaney was sent off. Jack Walton then made a stoppage-time save from Martin Boyle to protect the clean sheet.

Goodwin says United showed real quality for most of the match and defended with resilience during Hibs’ strongest spell. He believes the unchanged team had earned the right to keep their shirts, while the competition from the bench remained important. He also highlighted the growing understanding between Zidane Iqbal, Dylan Tait and Lyall Cameron. All three were comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and helped United play through Hibs’ press.

The result delivered the consistency Goodwin wanted after the international break. United have followed the three-nil win in Paisley with another victory and another clean sheet. They have scored four without reply across those two league matches. The first home league win also removes one of the early-season frustrations the manager had acknowledged.

Bennie says the squad’s energy and all-round play were strong from start to finish. He had been told to get into the box more often, and his winning goal came from doing exactly that. The attacker admitted he could have scored more, but said the main feeling was delight at the three points. Goodwin added that Bennie puts extensive work into his individual game after training.

Next up, United make the short trip to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park next Saturday. Kick-off is at three o’clock. St Johnstone are away to Aberdeen at two o’clock this afternoon, before attention turns to United’s visit.

Sources:
Dundee United Football Club
SPFL
Dundee United Football Club
SPFL
Dundee United Football Club
St Johnstone Football Club
SPFL

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

United host Hibs at Tannadice today in the William Hill Premiership. Kick-off is at three o’clock. United begin the day ninth on eight points, one point and one place above Hibs. Jim Goodwin’s side return to league action after the three-nil win at St Mirren, while Marink Reedijk takes charge of Hibs for the first time.

Goodwin says the players who were away on international duty are back with the group, and sharpness and fitness should not be an issue. He described this as United’s best week of training for some time, with a competitive mood and high spirits. United have prepared for Hibs to change formation and style under Reedijk, but Goodwin says the main demand is consistency. He wants the team to reproduce the level shown at St Mirren and turn stronger home performances into better results at Tannadice.

On our count, United have taken six of their eight points away from home and are still looking for a first league win at Tannadice. Hibs have won two of their three away league games this season.

Michael Forbes says the squad now feels settled and the energy in training has risen. He wants United to carry that spirit into the match and recreate the backing they received at St Mirren. Forbes returned from Northern Ireland duty without playing, but says being back in the international squad was a positive step. His last home memory is scoring a late equaliser and hearing Tannadice erupt.

On the Hibs side, new winger Rabbi Matondo says he is ready to make his debut and prepared to start if selected, after building his fitness in two closed-door games. Reedijk says there is no time for a settling-in period and he wants to win his first match. He confirmed that Adam Mayor and Jamie McGrath are still out, along with the players who were already long-term absentees, and said there was no other injury news.

For supporters going to the game, controlled alcohol sales will operate in designated home concourses before kick-off. Selected home turnstiles open at one o’clock, and the bars close at half past two. Drinks must stay in the licensed concourse areas.

Elsewhere, The Courier reports that owner Mark Ogren approved extra spending to complete the late-window signing of Zidane Iqbal from Utrecht, after Jim Goodwin identified the midfielder as someone who could make a difference. Goodwin says Iqbal had some good performances on international duty, scoring a good goal for Iraq, and that it is always good for players to get recognition through good performances for United.

Sources:

SPFL

Dundee United Football Club

Hibernian Football Club

Dundee United Football Club

SPFL

SPFL

BBC Sport

Dundee United Football Club

Hibernian Football Club official YouTube

Hibs Observer

Hibernian Football Club official YouTube

The Edinburgh Reporter

Dundee United Football Club

The Courier

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

Jim Goodwin has studied footage of Marink Reedijk’s former club Beveren ahead of Hibs’ visit, the Daily Record reports. United are preparing for several possible approaches from the new Hibs manager, and Goodwin wants his side to match the level they showed in the win at St Mirren.

Dundee United’s head of recruitment Ross Goodwin says he was surprised Zac Sapsford is still waiting for a first senior Australia call-up. He made the comments to Football 360 before United return to league action. Goodwin says Norwich’s Mohamed Toure being out with a long-term shoulder injury could lead Australia to look at other options in November.

Former United goalkeeper Dave Richards’ short-term move to Kilmarnock has fallen through. Kilmarnock say an administrative error over his previous registration meant they could not complete the deal.

Coming up, United host Hibs at Tannadice tomorrow. Kick-off is at three o’clock. One point separates the teams in the Premiership, with United on eight and Hibs on seven.

Don Robertson will referee, with Greg Aitken on VAR. Robertson last took charge of United in February, a goalless draw with Aberdeen.

To follow the match from home, there is no pay-per-view video. UK subscribers get audio only, and international subscribers can watch live video while overseas.

Sources:
Daily Record
Football 360
Unidentified (Google News link supplied by the editor)
Dundee United Football Club
Scottish Professional Football League
La Nación Canchallena
ScanGoal

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

Dundee United will check on several returning internationals before Saturday’s Premiership match against Hibs, the Daily Record reports. Jesse Randall, Iurie Iovu, Zidane Iqbal and Panutche Camara are all returning from international duty. Jim Goodwin says sports scientist Ewan Anderson has been monitoring their training and match loads while they were away.

The Courier reports that Iovu impressed on international duty with Moldova, and that Goodwin believes the game time will help the centre-back after he lost his starting place to Bert Esselink.

Former United defender Vicko Ševelj says leaving Tannadice for Neftçi Baku was a great deal for both him and the club. Speaking to Scott Burns for the Daily Record’s In Conversation series, the Croatian said he still misses the United supporters and was overwhelmed by the messages he received after he left. He described finishing fourth and qualifying for Europe in his first season as an amazing achievement, and called being a Dundee derby hero the best feeling ever.

Hibs, meanwhile, have signed winger Rabbi Matondo until the end of the season, with an option for another year. The twenty-six-year-old Wales international joins after a trial, following his departure from Norwegian side Brann. The move is still subject to Scottish FA and international clearance, so his availability at Tannadice has not been confirmed. Hibs say he brings pace, directness and a threat in wide areas.

Saturday will be Marink Reedijk’s first match in charge of Hibs. The Dutchman replaced David Gray last month. Hibs go into the game one point behind United in the Premiership.

Hibs also confirmed Reedijk’s backroom team on Wednesday. Brian McLaughlin, the former Scotland Under-seventeen head coach, joins as first team coach, and Rogier Molhoek, who worked with Reedijk at Beveren, is performance manager. Scott Thomson returns as first team goalkeeping coach, and Guillaume Beuzelin moves up from the academy as individual development plan coach.

Sources:
Daily Record
The Courier
Daily Record
Hibernian Football Club
STV News
Hibs Observer
Sky Sports
Hibs Observer
Scottish Professional Football League
Hibernian Football Club
The Edinburgh Reporter

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

United return to Premiership action at home to Hibs on Saturday, and Jim Goodwin wants his forwards to be more clinical, the Daily Record reports. They have scored nine goals in their first seven league games, and Goodwin wants them to turn more of the chances the team creates into goals, building on the three-nil win at St Mirren.

On international duty, Sam Cleall-Harding completed Scotland Under-21s’ two-nil win away to Bulgaria. Ruairidh Adams was an unused substitute. Kevin Ciubotaru started but was replaced at half-time as Romania Under-21s lost seven-one in Spain, while Iurie Iovu played the full match in Moldova’s four-nil home defeat by Slovakia. That completed the current international programme for all four players.

Away from the first team, Dundee United have signed Scott Hamilton on a one-year deal after his departure from Nottingham Forest. The young striker spent the summer on trial, featured for the first team and under-19s, and travelled to United’s Portugal camp. His registration is now complete after the club secured the required clearances. Hamilton had already scored a hat-trick against Formartine United in the KDM Evolution Trophy.

Off the pitch, commercial director Mark Cunningham says United are on course for a third consecutive year of record commercial revenue. Speaking on the club’s YouTube channel, he said the number of partners has grown from twenty to forty. About one hundred and ninety-eight businesses are now attached through the business club and partner network. Cunningham said the aim is to reinvest that growth on and off the pitch.

Sources:
Daily Record
Sky Sport Germany
Scottish Professional Football League
Scottish Football Association
Romanian Football Federation
Moldovan Football Federation
UEFA
Dundee United Football Club
Dundee United Football Club
Dundee United Football Club

Morning Line is an independent, AI-assisted briefing, reviewed before publication.

A short, sharp Dundee United briefing every morning: team news, results, United players on international duty, and what's coming next. Independent, AI-assisted and reviewed by an editor before it reaches your feed. First episode: Wednesday 7 October.