Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
For United, it’s going to be a summer of change
it’s easy to say where his priorities lie.
Keatings and King will provide attacking options but it can be taken as read a No 9 is on the list.
In fact, make that two. Keatings can fill the No 10 role Andreu occupied for most of last season and now what’s needed are replacements for Murray and Mikkelsen.
Dropping to midfield, the leftfooted King can play on either flank and centrally there will be no lack of options with the likes of Flood, Scott Fraser and Scott Allardice there.
If he’s not i n defence, Lewis Toshney can operate in a central role as well. For all he’s a useful rightback, however, Stewart Murdoch is likely to be earmarked for that role and playing Toshney one forward is not an option previously been used.
That means finding a right-sided midfielder is on the list, particular if Spittal’s departure is confirmed.
At the back, despite the wealth of experience that’s departed in the shape of Dillon and Dixon, things don’t look that bad. Murdoch is looking good at right-back and will be challenged for that role by Toshney.
On the other side, Jamie Robson should now be the regular full-back and any signing for that area is likely to be no more than back-up.
Likewise, William Edjenguele and Mark Durnan are now an established partnership in the middle of the defence and Coll Donaldson is likely to remain as cover for them. In goal, Cammy Bell will remain undisputed No 1 and young Brett Long now looks ready to act as his back-up.