Utd ease Second-half goals set up home tie with Jags in the League Cup

PLAYERRATINGS

@tomduth

THE feel-good factor Ray McKinnon brought from the minute he walked through the doors at Tannadice back in May continued to grow yesterday as his rejuvenated Dundee United side cruised into the knockout stages of the Betfred Cup.

His Tangerines only needed a point at home to Dunfermline but secondhalf goals from Simon Murray and Scott Fraser saw them take all three and earn a home tie against Partick Thistle next week.

On the evidence of this and other performances in the group stages, United have enough in their tank to take care of business against the Jags.

Much more importantly, this was another display that suggested the desired for push for promotion from the Championship this season is very much on the cards.

The league action kicks off against Queen of the South on Saturday and United look ready.

Up against a Pars side who many think will do very well in United’s division this term, they always looked in control. In truth, they should have won this tie more comfortably.

Not that his team ever looked like slipping up — but if the manager had a criticism of the 90 minutes, it was his side’s fine attacking play should have produced more goals.

A couple of decent saves from visiting goalie David Hutton denied them but, before easing his team ahead just after the break, Murray should have netted with an early chance and both Scott Fraser and Nick van der Velden went close with good efforts.

In the end there was no reason for complaint as United took care of business in a professional manner.

And, given those expectations for the Pars, it must have been pleasing that for long spells the home side looked a class above.

Working from a solid base provided by the excellent midfield engine-room partnership of Willo Flood and Stewart Murdoch, thanks to the likes of Van der Velden, Fraser and wide-man Tope Obadeyi, McKinnon’s men clearly had that extra bit of quality needed to win games like this.

Fraser and Van der Velden, in particular, were at the heart of much that was good about United’s attack play.

Repeatedly, they found space in the opposition half and once on the ball had the composure and technique to cause problems for the Dunfermline defence.

Early on, when fed by a clever Obadeyi pass, Fraser drove the ball across goal in the direction of Murray and it took a good stop from Hutton to prevent a tap-in goal.

The young midfielder then had a couple of decent attempts before the break then rounded off a fine afternoon with a perfectly-executed free-kick seven minutes from time.

Shortly after that, Van der Velden left the pitch to a standing ovation that was thoroughly deserved.

The 34-year-old had shown his shooting prowess with a couple of fizzing first-half drives from the edge of the area, one well saved by Hutton and the second that left the flat-footed keeper relieved to see the ball fly inches wide.

Repeatedly these two caught the eye but it’s a safe bet they’d be first to acknowledge the spade work done by Flood, Stewart and others for providing that platform for them to show their talents.