Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
The vital areas will have to hit
IT promises to be a hectic summer for Dundee United sporting director Tony Asghar and boss Tam Courts.
Fresh from securing European qualification for the first time in a decade, there is no rest for the wicked. Improvements, replacements and reinforcements are required.
Courts has already mused that around seven new signings will be needed as United seek to continue their consistent progress over the past three years.
While some captures will afford depth and versatility, Courier Sport focuses on the areas that require marquee arrivals – first-team-ready talents.
Goalkeeper
How do you solve a problem like Benjamin Siegrist?
That question will be occupying minds within the corridors of power at Tannadice.
The simple answer could prove to be Zander Clark. United’s interest in the St Johnstone legend is welldocumented, although the out-ofcontract stopper has no shortage of suitors south of the border.
The Tangerines do have Carljohan Eriksson on the books, albeit he has yet to make a single appearance since arriving from Swedish side Mjallby in January. It is impossible to assess whether he is ready to be the club’s No.1.
With Trevor Carson departing for St Mirren this week, there is every chance United will require two new keepers, depending on their plans for Scotland youth international Jack Newman.
And given the amount of points Siegrist saved the club over the last four campaigns, the club need to get it right.
A midfield enforcer — or two
At 36, Charlie Mulgrew should not be required to fulfil this role.
The situation occurred following the sale of tough-tackling Jeando Fuchs to Peterborough in January.
It would be an understatement to say that Arsenal loanee Tim Akinola failed to fill that void.
Calum Butcher was then frozen out following a breach of club discipline. It appears unlikely that he will be in the picture going forwards.
That leaves the Terrors in search of a couple of tenacious midfielders who can harry, harass and preferably play a bit.
The creative spark
If United can tempt loan star Dylan Levitt back to Tannadice – and much depends on his future with Manchester United – then that’s the signing they must make.