How did Tangerines’ new faces fare during team’s top six season?

Another pivotal summer of recruitment lies ahead for Dundee United.

As ever, there will be hits and misses — such is life at a Scottish Premiership club — but the aim will be to unearth a few more Dylan Levitts.

Here, Courier Sport casts an eye over the good, the bad and the anonymous of United’s 2021-22 incomings.

Dylan Levitt 9

Levitt arrived on loan from Manchester United last summer as a relative unknown.

The pedigree was there; a Wales internationalist with a peerless footballing education at Old Trafford.

And the 21-year-old grew into a talisman for United.

Levitt was the heartbeat of Tam Courts’ outfit, dictating the tempo, breaking the lines with slick passing and, latterly, adding a genuine goal threat to his game. Charlie Mulgrew 8

In his second spell with United, the 36-year-old played 37 games — even starring in midfield towards the end of the season — and found the net three times, including a derby day stunner.

He was one of the pillars of stoic backline, with the European qualification built more on defensive solidity than attacking endeavours.

Tony Watt 7

Joining from Motherwell in January, Watt was the Premiership’s top scorer with 10 goals. He would go on to ripple the net just once for United.

However, that only tells half the story. If that.

Watt was deployed in a more creative, deeper role by boss Courts, running himself into the ground in a bid to make things happen for others.

Ilmari Niskanen 6

The Finland internationalist appeared an inspired capture when he joined United from Ingolstadt, bagging three assists and one goal from his opening six games.

However, his form fell away fairly notably, with United’s switch to a 3-5-2 seeing him deployed in a more defensive role. Scott McMann 6

The former Hamilton youngster showcased an incredible engine, tough tackling and, crucially, possessed the versatility to operate across the back-line and as a wing-back.

Marc McNulty 5

‘Sparky’ endured a maddening second season on loan from Reading. The Scotland international suffered a serious hamstring injury in October, resulting in surgery and a frustrating rehab period.

And his campaign was prematurely ended by a serous knee injury sustained in a fluke collision with teammate Liam Smith.

Kevin McDonald 4

The fact Kevin McDonald, who underwent a kidney transplant in April 2021, was even able to play Premiership football this season is truly astonishing.

McDonald’s appearances were limited to 11 outings but there were a few glimpses of the class that saw him turn out for Fulham, Burnley and Scotland during a fine career.

Trevor Carson 4

Carson’s impact was exceptionally limited but solid. He played five times for United and kept clean sheets against St Johnstone and St Mirren.

However, he joined Morecambe on loan in January for family reasons.

Mathew Cudjoe 3

The Ghana under-20 internationalist and former Bayern Munich trialist only played two games for United this term but showed enough flair, bravery and attacking impetus to intrigue the Arabs.

Carljohan Eriksson 2

Eriksson is yet to kick a ball for United so this rating is — if anything — generous.

The winter arrival from Mjallby could yet be a success, particularly given the departure of Siegrist.

Tim Akinola 1

A January loan signing, Akinola was hooked after 45 minutes against St Johnstone in February in his sole outing.

Max Biamou 1

Biamou was plagued by fitness woes and made three appearances, totalling 55 minutes.