SWANS SINK UNITED BUT FOX FINDS SOME POSITIVES

Liam Fox was keen to accentuate the positives after Dundee United’s defeat in their friendly with Swansea City at Tannadice.

Russell Martin’s Championship side won thanks to goals from Jamie Paterson and Ryan Manning.

United’s players had a few days off at the start of the World Cup break and only returned to training last week, with the squad being put through gruelling triple sessions.

All things considered, head coach Fox was pleased with the performance against the Swans as United geared up for their return to Premiership action in two weeks’ time against Livingston.

The 38-year-old said: “It was a great test and a really good game. I am very pleased, as the boys have had a tough week as well.

“We have worked them hard so we knew this was going to be a difficult game as Swansea are a good side. I am really pleased with a lot of the aspects of the performance. We are back to work this week and it will be tough again.”

Fox added: “I was pretty clear to the lads that in this period they would get a few days off and then we would be properly working.

“Their application and attitude has been really good in training and it was the same today.

“Swansea start back next week and I was speaking to Russell Martin there and that was probably what will be their team next week.

“They posed a lot of problems so we had to make sure our shape and stuff off the ball was really good. We created some decent chances as well, so I am pleased, but there is more to work on.”

Peter Pawlett missed the game through injury, with Fox determined not to take any chances with the midfielder in a friendly.

Fox said: “Pete just had a wee recurrence of a calf injury. It’s nothing major and it was just more of a precaution really.”

The English Championship side opened the scoring through Paterson in the first half and put the game to bed after the break through Manning’s goal.

The United starting line-up included Charlie Mulgrew following his lengthy absence through injury, while 20-yearold Jack Newman was between the sticks.

United created the first real opening of the game in the 14th minute when Arnaud Djoum played a superb pass with the outside of his boot into the path of Steven Fletcher, but the striker could not capitalise under pressure from Swansea defenders.

The Swans then had an opportunity of their own with a low, 20-yard freekick from Jay Fulton, but Newman dived to his left to snuff out the danger.

Swansea had the ball in the back of the net in the 32nd minute, but Joel Piroe’s effort was ruled out for offside before Newman made a great save to deny Paterson.

However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 43rd minute. Liam Smith’s attempted backpass was intercepted by Paterson, who calmly rounded Newman and fired the ball into the back of the net.

Swansea doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Manning picked up a long ball down the left and hit a shot that beat Newman at his near post.

United had a chance late on to pull a goal back, but youngster Rory Macleod’s snapshot was saved by Steven Benda.

Dundee United manager Liam Fox.