Dundee United

We asked for your thoughts after Dundee United conceded a stoppage time goal to lose 3-2 at Hibernian.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Ross: Defeat from the jaws of victory... again. A performance that deserved something yet gained nothing. Great to see the amazing effort the players put in, particularly in the second half but ultimately it got them nothing. The inability to defend a set-piece has cost United dear this season and cannot continue. The gaffer said as much in his post-match interview, but this may cost him the ultimate sacrifice. Fan fury awaits.

Richard: Relegation battle incoming, and something needs to change. Time for manager to go!

Robert: Surely the powers that be have to be really concerned about United's demise, and it's down to the manager. Unless something is done now we will be scrapping for survival as I can't see where our next league win will be. We're playing at a very poor standard and it's down to Jim Goodwin. Time's up.

Ian: We find new ways of losing games. Zero fight in this team. Opponents were there for beating and we manage to not even get a point. Destination relegation play-off.

George: Another three gifts to the opposition. We can't continue to give away goals like this, it's been the story of the season. Whether down to system or players can be argued but something has to change and fast. Maybe it's time for Jim to step up and admit the back three isn't working and at least try something different. Persist and the opposition know they can get at us and await our mistakes to get their goals.

Dave: Early on I felt Hibs would only score from a United mistake. Step forward Krisztian Keresztes right on cue! Going into the last five minutes you have to question the players' mentality to give away several free-kicks around our penalty area. Instead of having a dominant personality like Declan (don't mess with me) Gallagher in the middle of the defence we have Ross (I'll comb my hair differently) Graham as our captain no less. He is not up to the job and does not inspire any bite or aggression.

Watch all the highlights as Hibs scored a late winner to beat Dundee United 3-2 in the Scottish Premiership. (Available to UK users only)

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "It's a cruel game at times - but we get what we deserve in the end because we don't defend our box properly. It's been the story of the season pretty much.

"Tonight is the seventh or eighth time we've been in leading positions and thrown away points. It's five or six times we've conceded three goals. We can't have a defensive record like that and be succesful.

"You can't go into games needing to score two or three to win. The bizarre thing about tonight is it's the best we've played for six or seven weeks.

"But nobody wants to hear me talking about how well we performed given the way we capitulated at the end. I'm trying hard at the moment to bite my tongue.

"I don't want to be one of those managers that throws players under the bus but it's very, very hard for me to accept what went on there.

"You have to stand up and be counted and take pride in defending your goal. The second one, how can it drop a yard from our line without any of my defenders making an attempt to go and get a head on it?

"It's just such a sore, sore defeat for us."

The United boss adds he is "embarassed" and "angry" at the "pathetic" nature of the goals they conceded.

Hibernian debutant Ante Suto scored a brilliant header in stoppage time to complete a dramatic comeback win against Dundee United, whose Scottish Premiership top-six hopes were dealt a severe blow.

Have your say.

We asked for your thoughts on Dundee United's business in the January transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Kieran: First and foremost the club addressed the elephant in the room - goalkeeping. On first sight against Hearts, Ashley Maynard-Brewer looks like the commanding and competent goalie we have been screaming for. If he keeps it up we would be foolish not to pursue a longer term contract in the summer. The other two signings we will see what may come. On paper they sound decent but actions speak louder than words.

George: Let's hope these signings last longer than some previous ones. Players bought or loaned in haven't lasted for more than months before being moved on or released. Signing based on stats in the current league doesn't mean they are good enough for Scottish football. I'll keep my fingers crossed but feel promoting our young players, rather than selling them, would have been a better option based on the last two seasons.

Malcolm: January never a good window for buying, folk are shouting for a striker but richer clubs than us have struggled for that.

Paul: No disrespect to any of the new signings but it's difficult to be optimistic when the manager continues to play a system that he does not have the players for. The signings could be good players however it is unrealistic to imagine they will turn United around as long as the system remains in place. Simply put, either the system or the manager has to go. Unfortunately Jim Goodwin won't change and Mark Ogren won't act as he has little interest. United will continue on a downward spiral.

Stuart: Really poor window. We are in a relegation scrap and teams like Kilmarnock have strengthened. Goodwin is too negative with his tactics and the football is terrible to watch. Very little creativity and very predictable, the total opposite from the first few games of the season.

Marc: I don't think the business done during the transfer window is the biggest concern, it's the mismanagement of players, constantly chopping and changing line ups and not looking anywhere near fit enough.

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• Hibernian are unbeaten in five Scottish Premiership games against Dundee United (W2 D3), their longest run over them in the top-flight since going nine without defeat from March 2006 to September 2008.

• Both teams have scored in each of the last eight Scottish Premiership matches between Hibernian (16 goals) and Dundee United (14 goals) since the Tangerines won 1-0 in October 2022.

• Hibernian have lost 10 of their last 14 home games played on a Wednesday in the Scottish Premiership (W4), including four of five since the 2023-24 season.

• Dundee United have only won one of their last nine away league games (D5 L3), beating Livingston 3-1 in December.

• Dundee United's Luca Stephenson has scored four goals in five Scottish Premiership appearances against Hibernian, including three in two this season.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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There was little to like from a Dundee United perspective during their 3-0 home defeat to Hearts last weekend but there was one real positive – the performance of debut goalie, Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Having arrived from Charlton Athletic – on an initial six month deal – just a few days before, the 26-year-old was thrown straight in at the deep end and managed to deliver an assured performance and produced a string of fine saves.

He faced 22 shots from the visitors, 12 of which were on target and 18 came inside his own penalty area. Hearts also created eight chances and had 43 touches inside the United box.

Maynard-Brewer made eight saves over the 90 minutes at Tannadice and his save percentage of 72.7% is already higher than now second choice goalkeeper Dave Richards and former United stopper Kucherenko.

What made his display even more impressive was the fact that his Tannadice outing represented his first match since the end of August last year.

That would suggest that Maynard-Brewer, who had a spell on loan at Ross County earlier in his career, will only get better.

United haven't had their troubles to seek in the goalkeeping department this season, troubles manager Jim Goodwin will now be hoping are in the past.

Dundee United have failed in their attempt to have Amar Fatah and Pan Camara's red cards overturned.

Both players will sit out Wednesday's Premiership game against Hibernian at Easter Road and the visit of Aberdeen seven days later.

A panel convened by the Scottish FA rejected wrongful dismissal claims against the pair following United's 3-0 defeat by Hearts on Saturday.

Fatah was sent off for catching Marc Leonard on the ankle midway through the first half and Camara was dismissed for motioning his head towards the same player off the ball.

The deadline-day arrival of 21-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Agyei from Israeli side Ashdod could help offset the absence of Camara.

United uploaded a video highlights reel of their new signing which showed his running power, dynamism and tough tackling.

Manager Jim Goodwin told United's website: "Emmanuel is a player whose energy and willingness to play forward quickly caught our attention.

"He's comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and has shown he can operate in different roles, whether that's sitting in front of the backline or playing in a more advanced, box-to-box position.

"Emmanuel has extensive experience of senior football in Ghana, having made in excess of 70 appearances back home in the top flight, while he has become a more polished and rounded midfielder during his time in Israel playing against strong European opposition.

"His career path shows a mental toughness and willingness to challenge himself in new environments, and that's exactly the type of character I'm keen to add to my existing group."

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Hibs could hand debuts to Felix Passlack, Ante Suto and Munashe Garananga while Josh Campbell returns and Miguel Chaiwa has shaken off a head knock. Grant Hanley (hamstring) drops out.

Dundee United are without the suspended Amar Fatah and Pan Camara after the club's appeal against the duo's red cards was dismissed.

New signing Emmanuel Agyei could feature. Vicko Sevelj (groin) and Isaac Pappoe (knee) miss out.

Paul McNicoll
Fan writer

Something feels off at Tannadice right now. A sense of apathy is creeping in among the support.

No United fan accepts defeat lightly, but when it comes, it no longer shocks.

That mood stems from the club itself. There is a growing disconnect, or at least it feels that way.

My own assessment of the season declines with each passing week. In August, recruitment appeared encouraging. Fourteen new signings arrived, largely unfamiliar but seemingly promising.

Fast forward to February and that optimism has faded. A handful of players have shown their value and some potential has emerged, but overall it has not been good enough. The league table tells its own story: 23 games played, five wins. By any standard, that is poor.

Responsibility inevitably falls on the manager, Jim Goodwin, and some of that criticism is justified. He has persisted with a defensive system that has looked ineffective and ill-suited to several players.

The backline lacks leadership and character, creativity is minimal, and goals are scarce, just 28 so far. From a supporter's perspective, it has also been difficult to watch. That said, the blame does not rest solely with him.

From the outside looking in at the club, it appears budgets have been tightened across the board. Recruitment has leaned heavily towards low-cost foreign signings and data-led decision-making. While this approach can work, it has not delivered this season.

The chairman has lost significant money since taking over, which is hardly surprising in Scottish football.

It is understandable he now wants to recover some of that investment, but United have been down this road before, and it did not end well.

If the ambition has shifted from building success to simply recouping losses, then serious questions must be asked about the future.

Should this approach continue into next season, fan apathy will only deepen and attendances will suffer, costing the club even more. These are difficult days at Tannadice.

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

With the transfer window now shut, we want to know if you think your team have made the right moves.

United bought midfielder Emmanuel Agyei on deadline day, adding to the arrivals of goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer and defender Neil Farrugia.

Are you happy with the club's transfer business? Are they now in good shape for the remainder of the season?

Tell us your thoughts here.

Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart disagrees with the decision to send off Amar Fatah in Dundee United's 3-0 defeat by Hearts on Saturday.

"I think it's soft. It's not endangering the opponent. Yes it will be sore, but can you imagine if Fatah doesn't challenge for that?

"There are occasions where you will get hurt and that isn't necessarily anyone's fault. A yellow was sufficient."

Watch the best of the action as table-topping Hearts ease to a 3-0 win at Dundee United, who finish with nine men. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views on Dundee United's 3-0 defeat against Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Ian: Jim Goodwin will hide behind the officials and the decisions, who were poor, but again his own decisions and formation are baffling. The season is just petering out to a relegation battle. We are aimlessly drifting to nothingness. I can't see where the next win is coming from. Pathetic.

Graeme: Our formation and team selections this season have contributed to our poor season. Consistently plays three centre-halves - who have been poor in the main - yet we concede goals every game and are chasing games. Majority of our goals scored are from set-pieces, with outfield goals being individual strikes absent of any team creativity or combinations. The insistence to continue with the formation and fitting players into this - who are not suited - has resulted in a season that started with optimism against Rapid Vienna to now looking like a team in freefall and the players frustration showed against Hearts.

Ross: Tempting as it is to fuel the debate about the important decisions, sadly the picture behind the controversy remains the same. Scottish refereeing is a disgrace, United are a bottom-six side locked in a dogfight until the end of a season where we have been consistently inconsistent. No surprise at all for yet another team to come to Tannadice and boss us all over the park.

Robbie: Week in week out we continue to field a team nowhere near full strength. Key players missing from the starting line-up and now losing Fatah and Camara through suspension is far from ideal. Only takeaway from the game was if it wasn't for the new keeper it could have been six. Other managers have been fed to the chopping block for their use of three at the back, when do we start calling out Goodwin for the same?

Sean: Terrible night for United, only consolation is that Maynard-Brewer looked more than competent and I would hope he helps bring stability at the back which will lead to better results in the future.

David: Goodwin has to go now. His tactics and team selection are abysmal week after week. Clearly out of his depth with not a clue how to fix the issues. Players don't want to play for him and the supporters are starting to stay away.

Crystal Palace are among a number of Premier League clubs tracking 18-year-old Dundee United defender Charlie Dewar. (Football Insider), external

Pierre Landry Kabore's double helped Hearts sweep aside undisciplined nine-man Dundee United and move seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Read the report

Have your say on the game

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Sportsound: "I don't think the fans are booing our players or the performance.

"I think they're as frustrated as we are. I can't afford a suspension so I have to be really careful with the words I use to describe the officials.

"It's a bad night for us. Absolutely everything that could have gone against us did.

"We'll have to look at the red cards and see if there's any chance of an appeal but I wouldn't hold out hope."

Dundee United have been in protracted talks with Kifisia to sell midfielder Julius Eskesen, but the Greek club could face competition from HamKam and another Norwegian club for the 26-year-old. (The Courier), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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New Zealand winger Jesse Randall will join Dundee United on a free transfer this summer when his contract with A-League side Auckland expires.

The 23-year-old has scored 11 goals and assisted four more in 37 appearances for Auckland since signing from Wellington Olympic in 2024 and helped them become A-League premiers last season.

He has agreed a two-year deal at Tannadice, with United also having the option to extend by a further 12 months.

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Dundee United are again without Vicko Sevelj (groin) and Isaac Pappoe (knee) but new goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer could be in the squad.

Hearts could hand a debut to Uganda forward Rogers Mato. Beni Baningime is suspended, while Cammy Devlin (ankle), Stephen Kingsley (groin), Lawrence Shankland, Calem Nieuwenhof, Finlay Pollock (all hamstring) and Christian Borchgrevink are out.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jim Goodwin admits Dundee United have given themselves a "mountain to climb" in their quest for a second successive top-six finish.

United begin a potentially "season-defining couple of weeks" by hosting Premiership leaders Hearts on Saturday night.

The Tannadice men go into the game in eighth - three points behind Aberdeen and eight adrift of sixth-place Falkirk, although with a game in hand on both.

"This is the start of a really busy schedule for us," said manager Goodwin. "We have five games in the next fortnight and it could be a season-defining couple of weeks for us.

"We have to get going now, we are trying to chase down the pack above us in that top six and we have certainly not given up hope on it.

"We know we have given ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb in terms of that gap between us and sixth but it is certainly something we are capable of doing.

"We know how difficult it is going to be because of the form of the likes of Falkirk, who are having a terrific season under John McGlynn, but we have to believe we are capable of doing that."

Inconsistency has been United's main problem this season, a point illustrated by the fact they have yet to win back-to-back domestic games.

They can end that unwanted stat by following up their Scottish Cup win over Ayr with a victory over on-form Hearts, who beat United 3-2 at Tannadice in August with a late winner before a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle in November.

Goodwin said: "We have to believe, like we do going into any game, that we are capable of getting the result we want.

"Hearts are a really good team, Derek McInnes is a fantastic manager at this level and Hearts are deservedly top of the table.

"We know we are going to have to be at our best but we do take confidence from the previous two fixtures and we are going to have to be at that level again if we want to get that result."