Fans air concerns over direction of United as club close in on manager appointment

Supporters representatives have made formal expressions of concern to Dundee United as the club close in on the appointment of their new manager.

United parted company with Micky Mellon earlier this week after he achieved a ninthplaced finish on their return to the Premiershi p. Tam Courts, who is head of tactical performance at United's academy, has emerged as the clear favourite to replace Mellon, although reports have stated that other candidates will be interviewed.

Former Livingston player Courts, 39, was Kelty Hearts manager before joining United in October 2019 and had a brief spell in caretaker charge during a Covid-19 outbreak this season.

Both the Federation of Dundee United Supporters' Clubs and the Arabtrust, which is the club's second largest shareholder, announced on social media that answers hadbeensoughtfromthetannadice decision-makers over the direction of the club.

A social media statement read: "In relation to the current vacant manager position and growing concerns amongst fans with those in charge of the day to day running of the club, please be advised that we together with the other members of Dundee United Supporters Group emailed the club yesterday - asking for a response within 72 hours.

"We will keep you updated once a reply is received."

United are owned by American

Mark Ogren, who has tasked sporting director Tony Asghar with running the football department.

Meanwhile, long-serving pair Iain Vigurs and Michael Gardyne are among 10 players leaving Ross County.

The veteran midfielders scored the goals that guaranteed County's top-flight status thanks to a 2-1 win at Motherwell on the final day of the

Premiership season. Callum Morris, Jason Naismith, Ross Draper, Billy Mckay, Jermaine Hylton, Mohamed Maouche, Carl Tremarco and Tony Andreu are also being released by the Dingwall club following the appointment of Malky Mackay as manager on Wednesday.

Keith Watson, Blair Spittal and Ross Munro are in talks over new contracts.