Mellon knows the recipe for success... just like his mum’s soup

Micky Mellon is satisfied with the youthful flavour in his Dundee United squad – and is applying his mother’s soup-making philosophy to developing the team at Tannadice.

The United boss has admitted that he is "not actively pursuing anybody" in the January transfer window.

He also will not be forced to sell anyone despite mounting pressure on clubs with games still being played behind closed doors.

Instead, Mellon is focused on shaping the players already at Tannadice for the second half of the Scottish Premiership season.

He said: "At the start of the season, I had a group of players who I was trying to make better and give time to grow.

"Development is all about time so you have to give it time.

"My mam said yesterday, 'you have to give soup time son, you can't go eating it too quickly'. So I am trying to give the soup a bit of time to get better and better.

"I have a group of young players who need time to grow. I am strong with them,

I know how to make them better.

"I expect good standards and good ambition every day and that is what I am attacking.

"So I haven't gone to the owners or (sporting director) Tony (Asghar) and said, 'I want this' because I believe every position I have got pathways to look after.

"We are a real strong squad in terms of our academy. If you want an academy to work you have to look at opportunities to bring them through.

"If I keep blocking that path, what would be the point of an academy?

Staff, including Mellon and his players, have already agreed to take pay cuts, and it has been reported that the Dundee United Supporters' Foundation (DUSF) have been asked to make a second investment of £100,000 to help ease the financial burden of games played behind closed doors.

The United boss, who insists he does not have to sell anyone, added: "Every club is now feeling the full force of this pandemic financially.

"We have to do the best we can until we get the fans back in and financially grow again."