Dundee United

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Dundee United midfielder Emmanuel Agyei drops out through suspension while Dario Naamo has gone for a scan on a foot injury.

Amar Fatah, Luca Stephenson (both hamstring), Kristijan Trapanovski, Isaac Pappoe (both knee) and goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer (shoulder) remain out.

Livingston interim head coach Scott Arfield will freshen his side. Jeremy Bokila is improving his fitness but Connor McLennan (ankle) is still out.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has told his players they must bring their derby mentality into the final two games of the season.

United looked set to wrap up seventh spot in the Scottish Premiership when they beat their next-door neighbours 3-0 in the first game after the league split.

But they have since conceded five goals without reply against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen and the Dons are now just three points behind.

"The disappointment for me off the last two performances, I just don't think we reached the levels of the Dundee derby a few weeks ago," Goodwin told Dundee United TV as he prepares for Tuesday's visit by Livingston.

"Those standards, that level of professionalism, that mindset, needs to be a given every single week, every day in training, because there's always something at stake.

"Quite simply, the last couple of games haven't been good enough.

"Saturday was an opportunity for us to cement seventh place and there is prize money at stake. We have allowed Aberdeen the opportunity to close the gap.

"There is significance in the two fixtures coming up, but there will certainly be changes to the starting XI and there will be an opportunity for a few players who haven't quite got the minutes they wanted."

Dundee United trigger a one-year contract extension for Ross Graham with the defender planning talks over a longer deal at Tannadice. (The Courier - subscription required), external

Dundee United fans, we asked for your opinions on the 2-0 loss to Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

George: We're drifting towards the end of the season, and still using players who aren't up to the task. We pulled Stirton back [from Airdrie] because he wasn't getting opportunities, and we don't give him opportunities - just one example.

We should be looking forward to next season and allowing the youngsters to show what they can do. I'm still behind Jim Goodwin but he needs to be more adventurous and positive.

John: Goodwin has lost the trust of the supporters and needs replaced. He has continually failed to fix a terrible defence by playing the same personnel and formation.

The attack is led week by week by Max Watters who can't score, can't hold the ball and offers no trouble to the weakest of defences. Time to go Goodwin, and save us from the boring football your team delivers.

Richard: Another clueless and baffling team put out by our manager, whose won two games from 13 post split. Same mistakes all season long. Players just get worse, then squad emptied end of season. Season ticket renewed but Goodwin needs moved on, with his coaching pal. Three-four-three? Don't ever say those numbers again please.

Jen: I've had enough of Jim Goodwin, and it's time he left. He's ruined United's season with his poor choice of goalkeepers and a disastrous three centre-back defence. United fans deserve better than him.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says he expects to hold talks with some of his players in the coming days as he begins to plan for next season.

The Irishman oversaw a huge overhaul of his squad last summer and is preparing further changes to improve upon a bottom-half finish.

Goodwin, who was unimpressed by his team's performance against Aberdeen, said: "In the main, this group of players have been fantastic to work with.

"But I know what it's like to be at this stage of the season where we are playing for seventh place.

"It can be difficult sometimes to raise your game to the point where it needs to be at.

"But we are professionals at the end of the day and are paid good money to go out and perform.

"We know we have got some big decisions to make going into the summer and we will sit down with some of the players next week and make them aware of what our thoughts are in terms of their futures at Dundee United."

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "The first 45 minutes was really, really poor. I don't think there was a great deal of quality from either team in the opening period.

"We got done with one ball over the top for Toyosi Olusanya, which is something we analysed all week. We spoke about it and worked on it in training.

"At 1-0, we are always in the game. The second-half was slightly better but nowhere near good enough for the quality of players that we have. To not have scored in the last two games is not acceptable.

"I just reminded the players there are two games to go, the season is not over. We've got a great travelling support coming up the road from Dundee today, who paid their hard-earned money to come and watch their team and we didn't give them a good enough performance."

A goal and assist from Toyosi Olusanya continued Aberdeen's improvement under Stephen Robinson as they defeated Dundee United at Pittodrie to stretch their unbeaten Scottish Premiership run to four games.

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Sealing seventh place in the Scottish Premiership is Dundee United's clear goal when they face Aberdeen on Saturday, says Zac Sapsford, 23. (Courier - subscription required), external

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Aberdeen have Emmanuel Gyamfi available after a head knock while Nicky Devlin might make the bench after returning to training following a three-month lay-off. Alexander Jensen is a doubt while Kristers Tobers (knee) and Nick Suman (ankle) remain out.

Dundee United are set to remain without Amar Fatah, Luca Stephenson (both hamstring), Kristijan Trapanovski, Isaac Pappoe (both knee) and goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer (shoulder).

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Jim Goodwin has called on his Dundee United side to put last week's disappointing defeat by Kilmarnock behind them when they go to Aberdeen on Saturday.

United are seventh in the Scottish Premiership after an up-and-down season and were beaten 3-0 by struggling Killie last week off the back of an impressive derby victory.

However, Goodwin expects a positive response at Pittodrie.

"Last Saturday was a really poor performance from us defensively, which was something that I couldn't foresee before the game given how well we'd played against Dundee," said Goodwin.

"In fairness to the boys, any time we've had a poor performance like that, the bounce back has always been generally positive and that's what we're hoping for tomorrow.

"The players know what is to be expected against a good Aberdeen team who find themselves in a position that they wouldn't have wanted to be in at the start of the campaign.

"They've still got that incentive, I suppose, of trying to finish above us in the table. But if we win, then obviously that secures seventh place and that's got to be the motivation for us."

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• Aberdeen have lost just one of their past 17 home league games against Dundee United (W8 D8) and are unbeaten in nine (W5 D4) since a 3-0 defeat in August 2014.

• United are unbeaten in six league meetings with Aberdeen (W3 D3) since losing 1-0 in October 2024.

• Aberdeen have picked up more points in their past three league games (7 – W2 D1) than in their previous 16 beforehand (6 – W1 D3 L12). At home, the Dons are looking to win three successive league games without conceding for the first time since a run of four from February to April 2023.

• United have lost their past two away league games, last losing three in a row on the road in the Premiership in May 2023.

• Only Hearts (22) and Rangers (21) have scored more goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties) than United (19) in the Premiership this season, while Aberdeen are the division's lowest scorers from such scenarios (eight). Meanwhile, only Livingston (21) have conceded more goals from non-penalty set-plays than the Dons (19).

Dundee United have made a new contract offer to goalkeeper Dave Richards, with the 32-year-old having deputised for Yevhenii Kucherenko then Ashley Maynard-Brewer this season. (The Courier), external

Manager Jim Goodwin has confirmed that Dundee United's out-of-contract players will know their futures by the end of this week. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

If Dundee United's season was to be illustrated through the medium of dance, it would very much be one step forward and two steps back.

Too often this term, just when it has looked like the Tangerines have turned a corner, they have run into a cul-de-sac. A 3-0 defeat to Kilmarnock last time out is a case in point.

After the high of comprehensively beating their city neighbours Dundee the week before, United were equally comprehensively beaten by Killie - from high to low.

Manager Jim Goodwin has often used the word "consistency" this season - a lack of it proving detrimental to their hopes this term.

Having missed out on a place in the top half of the table, United are currently seventh, comfortably clear of any relegation fears.

The danger for them now is that with nothing other than pride to play for, they simply drift towards the end of the season.

While that is the here and now, Goodwin's focus will also be on next term and trying to find a formula that solves the consistency puzzle.

Ronny Costello
Fan writer

One week you beat Dundee. The next you get battered by Kilmarnock.

That is Dundee United in a nutshell.

After the derby high, this was flat. Really flat. Sloppy goals, slow play and a team that looked miles off it compared to one fighting for survival.

You can dress it up in different ways... End of season. Nothing to play for. Legs gone. Minds elsewhere. Holidays booked.

But it felt more familiar than that.

It felt like the same old story.

A free header from a corner, then a long ball not dealt with, rounded off with a simple back pass that turned into a gift. Three goals, all avoidable. All self-inflicted.

Jim Goodwin spoke about mentality and it is hard to argue. Last week we were aggressive, switched on and won battles. This week we were second to everything that mattered.

That is the frustration. The gap between what this team can be and what it often is.

To be fair, there was still an attacking threat. United created a lot of chances, with an xG of almost two but football is decided in both boxes and right now United are falling short in both.

Derby highs to Killie lows.

Same season.

Same problems.

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

Watch the best of the action as Kilmarnock continue their fine home form by beating Dundee United 3-0 to move out of the relegation play-off spot. Available to UK users only.

United fans, we asked for your opinions as Jim Goodwin's side lost 3-0 away to Kilmarnock. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Jamie: Get Goodwin and all of our central defenders out before we become relegation contenders next season.

Ryan: Why change a team that won 3-0 the week before? The defence is bad enough without changes. Max Watters is hopeless as well.

Sean: Another game, another disastrous defensive and goalkeeping display. This against the 11th-placed in the league. We were under no pressure, could just go out and play. I really fear for next season and question whether Goodwin is the man to be in charge. He has had all season to work with these players and we have seen no improvement.

Anon: An absolute disgrace. What's the point? People pay good money and are rewarded with what?

Dave: Terrible pitch, yes. Three or four players having poor performances, yes. I can live with that, it happens. What I can't accept, though, is another three goals shipped by what is nothing short of abysmal defending.

Max Watters, Ross Graham and Sam Cleall-Harding all need to hang their heads in shame because they were at fault. The first two are supposed to be seasoned pros but have shown that they are average players at best.

One note of positivity though - plaudits to Dario Naamo who can take satisfaction from his performance. He was probably the steadiest of all the United players on show.

Keith: Goodwin said the younger players will learn a lesson from this defeat. It's a pity he doesn't learn a lesson. I would rather he wasn't in charge next season.

Anon: Saw it coming. All the talk during was about how Will Ferry was the greatest thing since sliced bread, Vicko Sevelj was getting a new contract and 'we knew what we did wrong and we will fix it during the summer'. No mention of there being four games still to play. Kudos to Killie - they wanted it more.

Lee: United are still losing the same daft goals in May as they did in September. The 'three-at-the-back' has ruined our season and unless Goodwin changes it next season will also be a disaster.

Trying to play through the midfield on that old carpet of a pitch never works. It's like a 12th man for Kilmarnock. If we're serious about improving football in this country, plastic pitches should be banned in the top league.

Kilmarnock beat Dundee United to confirm Livingston's relegation from the Scottish Premiership and lift themselves out of the relegation play-off spot.

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Of course, we're thoroughly disappointed to lose the game and to lose the goals in the fashion that we did is the most disappointing part of it. We concede really soft goals from our perspective. The three goals were really bad.

"In the first 60, 65 minutes, Kilmarnock were the better team, they were better than us in pretty much every department and they thoroughly deserved all three points on the day.

"The younger players will certainly take valuable lessons from this afternoon and hopefully we'll improve from it."

Dundee United will only sell left-back Will Ferry, 25, if the club's valuation is met, says manager Jim Goodwin. (Courier - subscription required), external

Saturday's Scottish gossip