Image source, SNSDundee United remain without Ross Graham, Isaac Pappoe, Ryan Strain, Kristijan Trapanovski and Max Watters for Tuesday's Scottish Premiership visit of Aberdeen but right-back Strain has returned to training.
The Dons have a full squad to choose from.
Image source, SNSDundee United winger Amar Fatah says Aberdeen should be fearful before Tuesday's Premiership clash at Tannadice.
Jimmy Thelin's Dons are bottom of the league having failed to score in any of their opening four league matches and were dumped out of the Premier Sports Cup by Motherwell on Saturday.
United have had a healthier start to the league season, taking five points from their first four matches, drawing 3-3 at Hibs last time out.
"They should be worried because they are playing a good team," Fatah said.
"We are Dundee United and they are coming to our home, so they should be worried.
"I've missed it, we have played a couple of games away, so I am really happy to be at home again."
United let slip a two-goal advantage slip at Easter Road, but will be able to call on Vicko Sevelj against Aberdeen after his red card was rescinded.
Fatah, one of 14 summer signings for United, said of that match: "Overall, the team played really well, and not getting three points was maybe a bit unjust. But we will come in more hungry to this game and hopefully we take three points.
"I think we're a bit underrated but that's good. When we step on to the field, we shock teams with how good we can really be this season.
"The group of players understand each other very well on the pitch. It's really nice to be here now.
"There's much more to come. We are at the beginning right now, we have managed to get to know each other on and off the field well, and it shows on the field. We have a lot more to show."
Image source, SNSHibernian were wrongly awarded a penalty in their draw against Dundee United last weekend, according to the Scottish FA's review panel.
A majority of the panelists believe Hibs should have not been awarded the penalty that allowed Jamie McGrath to equalise in the 3-3 draw.
Referee Dan McFarlane initially did not give the spot kick but reversed his decision after a VAR intervention and sent off United's Vicko Sevelj for hand ball.
United successfully appealed against Sevelj's red card at a fast-track tribunal on Tuesday.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
There has been so much to like about Dundee United so far this term. However, one source of concern must be the number of goals they have been conceding.
In seven games across all competitions, they have kept just one clean sheet while shipping 14 goals.
If you are conceding around two a game, getting wins becomes a much bigger ask.
In the Premiership, United's eight goals conceded in four matches is the joint highest with Kilmarnock and Livingston, who have both played a game more.
And United's eight concessions have all come from inside the box, suggesting teams are getting in behind them more easily than last season.
Opta data also reveals that in the league United face have faced 24 shots on target - the third highest tally - and two errors have led to goals conceded, while the team are underperforming their xG against of 7.06.
The frailty at the back has at least been countered by the fact they have been prolific at the other end. They have scored 14 goals in seven games and their Premiership haul of nine is bettered only by Hearts.
United have been one of the most entertaining teams in the league this season, a maked contrast to the dogged solidity that was a bedrock of their successful return to the top flight last season.
But will it come at a cost?
Ex-Scotland defender Barry Douglas has revealed the Dundee United players he "watched and learned from". (The Courier)
Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.
The Sportscene panel analyse Vicko Sevelj's red card in United's 3-3 draw against Hibs
Dundee United have had their appeal against the red card shown to Vicko Sevelj for conceding a penalty in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Hibernian at Easter Road upheld.
Sevelj is no longer suspended for United's next game, at home to Aberdeen in the Premiership on Tuesday, 23 September.
It was originally ruled that the midfielder's arm stopped a net-bound overhead kick from Hibs striker Kieron Bowie and the Croat was dismissed for preventing an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
However, the decision was overturned at a Scottish FA fast-track tribunal on Tuesday.
United manager Jim Goodwin thought red card "was really, really harsh", adding that "these decisions are very subjective".
Goodwin went on to suggest the officials may have been swayed by a terrible VAR blunder that denied Hibs a penalty in the previous game at Easter Road.
Paul McNicoll
Fan writer
Jim Goodwin must have a loyalty card for squad rebuilds by now.
The Dundee United boss is on his third major revamp in as many seasons. And somehow this time, with a shedload of new players thrown together, the team appears to have emerged fresher, sharper, and whisper it, exciting to watch.
When he arrived at Tannadice in 2023, Goodwin inherited a relegation scrap that felt more like a crime scene.
Out went the gloom, in came a new structure, a lower wage bill and a number of players capable of getting the job done in the Championship. That resulted in immediate promotion.
Rebuild number two then focused on adding more steel and grit to the side, in order to not only ensure we were never in relegation trouble, but to hopefully push on for a top-six spot. Again, job done.
Now, in season three, Goodwin has once again shuffled the deck. By barely spending a penny he has brought in 14 players that were far from household names and has got them all pulling in the same direction in a ridiculously short time.
The signs are promising for us Arabs that this could be an exciting season to watch the team. And although the players deserve an enormous amount of credit for that, the hard work, eye for a player and man-management abilities of Goodwin cannot be ignored.
Up to now his sides have been pragmatic and stuffy. Hard to beat and effective. With all due respect though, they weren't always exciting.
This latest iteration of Goodwin's United are very entertaining. Fans are being treated to an energetic brand of play that suggests United are aiming higher than simply cementing their place in the top six. A second successive season of European football has to be the goal.
For long-suffering supporters, this feels new. Visiting Tannadice is no longer a chore, but a place of optimism.
And if Goodwin keeps pulling off rebuilds like this, the club shop might have to start selling hard hats as official merchandise.
Paul McNicoll can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
The Sportscene panel discuss Vicko Sevelj's red card and the decision to award a late penalty to Hibs that helped them snatch a 3-3 draw against Dundee United.
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Luca Stephenson delivered a great performance in a great game. Revelled in the fire and brimstone of the 3-3 draw with Hibs at Easter Road. Two goals and almost claimed a hat-trick.
Watch all the highlights from Hibs' dramatic 3-3 draw against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin was worried before the game against Hibs that a penalty decision would go against his side.
United were 3-2 up at Easter Road with less then 10 minutes to play but Jamie McGrath's controversial 86th-minute spot kick earned the hosts a point.
The penalty was awarded by referee Dan McFarlane following a review, after Kieron Bowie's acrobatic effort struck Vicko Sevelj's arm and the United midfielder was also sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
But Goodwin felt there was only going to be one outcome after the SFA admitted they got it wrong by not awarding Hibs a late penalty in their draw with St Mirren 13 days ago
"Personally I don't think it's a penalty," the Irishman said.
"I'm sure David Gray will have a different opinion on it. I did have a slight concern coming into the game when I watched the VAR review.
"I heard what the head of referees [Willie Collum] was saying about the St Mirren game when the penalty wasn't given. I think that's really different. I think the St Mirren defender [Jayden Richardson] nearly caught the ball on that occasion. Whereas, Vicko – I don't know what else he can do.
"I think it was really, really harsh. These decisions are very subjective but certainly, with the opinion of what was given on the previous game here against St Mirren, I think subconsciously as a referee that must be in the back of your mind.
"I thought if there had been a 50-50 chance of a penalty, I had a feeling it was going to go against us and that's the way it did."
We asked for your views on Dundee United's incident-packed 3-3 draw with Hibernian.
Here's what some of you said:
Jamie: A tremendous game ruined by VAR. How they can allow the second goal after the Hibs player comes right through Vicko Sevelj and forces him to kick the ball backwards is beyond me. Then a penalty and red card for a handball he knows nothing about.
John: Despite all the hype about Hibs, United were more than a match. Jim Goodwin and the backroom staff have done wonders creating a new team who can compete with anyone. Complete upgrade on last year. I have high hopes for European football again next year.
Jennifer: United's wonderful attacking football was a pleasure to watch. Amar Fatah was magnificent as was Luca Stephenson and the exuberant Panutche Camara. United are exciting to watch. In the end, the goalie sold the jerseys and cost us three points. Flapping at crosses, not commanding his area and playing daft balls to his defenders. He needs to be dropped for the next game.
Eddie: Our front three plus Camara and Stephenson were excellent, some really great link-up and the goals were a delight! The keeper is a very mixed bag though, and please don't get me started on the referee.
Scott: What a cracking game of football that was. I would have taken a point before the game but after how it played out can't help but feel disappointed only coming away with a draw. We look like a quality team just need to cut out the silly mistakes.
Murray: Yes United were guilty of mistakes, clearly for the first and in part for the second. But why have VAR if they can't spot an obvious foul for the second goal and a penalty awarded for ball to arm from a yard away? Absolutely disgraceful.
Stephen: A draw at Easter Road is going to be a decent result this season, Hibs are a good side this year. That being said I'm gutted United didn't leave with three points. I can't see how the referee sees that as a handball and not ball to hand then salt into the wound it seems a straight red was dished out too? Officials did United dirty against Hibs in the last meeting last season and here we are again. United look good though and feeling confident for the season ahead.
Hibernian and 10-man Dundee United played out a pulsating and incident-packed Scottish Premiership draw at Easter Road in a breathless 97 minutes.
What did you make of the match?
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells Premier Sports: "Firstly, I thought it was a fantastic game, a fantastic advert for the Scottish Premiership, two teams going at it, a lot of goalmouth action, and two keepers making great saves.
"It's a really harsh rule (for the penalty), I'd hate to be a defender these days or a referee making those decisions.
"From our perspective, it's two points dropped.
"We've made a couple of mistakes and a really difficult penalty [is given against us], and Sevelj gets a red card, and will now miss the next game for us. He's a really important player for us.
"I don't know what Sevelj is meant to do. I think it's harsh.
"I thought it was a brilliant game of football, and I felt we should have won. All three goals we scored were really well-worked."
Ivan Dolcek says he would like to remain with Dundee United permanently after the 25-year-old winger was named Scottish Premiership player of the month for August following his loan move from Slovak club Dunajska Streda. (The Courier), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSHibernian could hand debuts to new loan signings Dan Barlaser and Zach Mitchell. Boss David Gray is hopeful all 12 of his players who have been away on international duty have returned unscathed.
Dundee United remain without Ryan Strain, Isaac Pappoe (both knee), Kristijan Trapanovski, Ross Graham, Max Watters (all hamstring) and Zac Sapsford (ankle).
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDundee United wing-back Will Ferry says manager Jim Goodwin's new contract is another step in the right direction for the club.
"It is good, it is a bit of security for him but it is the same for us," the 24-year-old said before Saturday's trip to face Hibs.
"We obviously know the way the club is heading and we are all together as one and that solidifies it. The fact he has secured that future just helps us get on with it and keep improving, keep progressing and hopefully we get where we want to be.
"You can see the progression. Both years it has been a bit of a rebuild, new players like myself last year and a lot of new faces this year, you can see the bedding in process.
"Hopefully, like last year, you can see we will slowly get better game on game and I like to think that is what we are doing so far."
Thanks to their fourth-place finish last season, United secured European football. And although they failed to reach the Conference League proper, Goodwin became the first Tannadice boss in almost 30 years to win a two-legged European tie.
Ferry thinks the success of the past 12 months has been down to the Irishman and his staff.
"It is down to the gaffer, it is down to the staff it is down to the togetherness in the changing room," he added.
"It all contributes but again the gaffer is in charge and we go out and do what he tells us to do, and it is has worked to a point so far so we would like to carry it on.
"Individually and as a team last season we performed really well and we obviously aim to do it again this year."
Image source, SNSDundee United's Ivan Dolcek has been named as the Premiership player of the month for August, with manager Jim Goodwin saying the Croatian winger has taken to Scottish football "like a duck to water".
The 25-year-old joined from Slovakian club Dunajska Streda on a season-long loan in July and has made an instant impact in the Tannadice side, scoring four goals in three league appearances as United sit fourth in the table.
Dolcek scored in United's opening-day draw with Falkirk, netted twice in their defeat by Hearts and scored the second goal in a derby victory over city rivals Dundee.
"You are always a little bit unsure about how the foreign players are going to settle in and sometimes it can take a little bit more time for them to get adjusted to the culture and the style of play," Goodwin said.
"But I have to say Ivan has taken to the Scottish game like a duck to water in terms of his goal return in particular. The most pleasing aspect of it is that I believe there is so much more to come from him as an individual."
Goodwin has indicated to the player they would like to take up the option to make his Tannadice stay permanent.
"He has had a terrific start, he has made that position in the team his own at the moment, but it is important he doesn't get comfortable in it," the United boss added.
"I want him to keep pushing in training, keep trying to improve, keep trying to get better, because we can all see the qualities he has in front of goal. It is now trying to get that development into him in terms of the one-v-one situations."
