Football Season Guide

Despite another failure last season, United are still being touted as one of the favourites for the title. The evidence for this assertion is thin. Although they finished last season strongly, it meant little as Livingston eliminated them in the play-offs. United manager, Csaba Laszlo, has scoured Europe for fresh talent in the hope that they can escape the Championship. The consequence is that United are an unknown quantity. It may all click into place, or it could just as easily implode. At least United have acquired one of the top scorers in the Championship. Nicky Clark moved from Dunfermline and seems a reliable source of goals. Joining him is ex-Ross County forward, Craig Curran. However, United have discarded over 20 players including the highly experienced duo of Willo Flood and Scott McDonald. Their most promising player, Scott Fraser, has also opted to move on. United relied too heavily on loan deals last season and the consequence has the squad being rebuilt from top to bottom. Two goalkeepers, Benjamin Siegrist and Matej Rakovan, have been acquired from the continent. Frederic Frans (centre-back) and Christoph Rabitsch (midfield) also signed from Belgian and German football. More signings are expected as United remain a work in progress until the transfer window closes. At least midfielder Fraser Fyvie returns from injury and has been made captain for the season. Congolese winger, Yannick Loemba, has also signed for United. Even if United’s good form towards the end of last season is any kind of credible measure, the team that produced it has mostly gone. Exactly how the new-look United will shape up this season is open to question. At least United know there is no outstanding favourite for the title and with a solid start they could be in the mix. Expectation remains high (or unrealistic) at Tannadice as they seek to end their spell in the 2nd tier of Scottish football.