Axe set to fall on more Utd failures

The cull of playing staff that was confirmed by Dundee United with the announcement 13 players were leaving is expected to continue.

The next few days are set to see more of the men who failed to win promotion back to the Championship axed.

Late yesterday, the Tangerines confirmed 13 of their squad had gone.

Willo Flood, Bilel Mohsni, Mark Durnan, Cammy Ballantyne, Jordie Briels, Paul Quinn, Grant Gillespie and Emil Lyng have all been told they’re not being offered new deals when their contracts are up at the end of the month.

And Thomas Mikkelsen, Harry Lewis, Anthony Ralston and Brandon Mason are returning to their parent clubs at the end of their loan deals.

Craig Slater was also on loan but has also been told by permanent employers Colchester United he’s also being released by them.

Those departures are just the first chapter of the overhaul being undertaken by Csaba Laszlo with the aid of scout-cum-advisor Paul Sturrock.

That means a question mark remains over the likes of veteran striker Scott McDonald, William Edjenguele, Billy King and Paul McMullan.

McDonald is out of contract in a fortnight and, while Edjenguele, King and McMullan still have deals for next season, they could be offered the chance to go now.

It’s understood discussions over a severance package with experienced defender Tam Scobbie have already taken place.

Of the list of those definitely on their way, the one blow is the departure of Mohsni.

The 30-year-old, signed on a short-term deal a couple of months ago, had been offered a two-year deal, but will look for a challenge elsewhere following his likely involvement with Tunisia in next month’s World Cup.

Replacements for those departed will start arriving soon and that number could hit as many as 17 by the time next season gets under way.

Already, Simon Murray, Ziggy Gordon and Michael Gardyne have been linked, though if Gardyne returns to his home city, Dundee are a more likely destination.

TOMORROW: Find out who topped United’s Tele player ratings for last term.

Defender Bilel Mohsni impressed during his short spell at Dundee United, but is one of a number of players axed from the squad.