Season over for McNulty as Utd striker ruled out

MARC McNulty may have played his last game for Dundee United after the Scotland striker suffered a serious knee injury.

McNulty was withdrawn in the closing stages of United’s 1-0 win over Motherwell on Saturday following a ferocious, yet entirely accidental, collision with teammate Liam Smith.

The Tangerines received the initial results of a follow-up scan yesterday and, while unable to place an exact time-frame on McNulty’s absence, the damage is significant.

As such, he will not play for United again before the expiry of his loan deal from Reading at the end of the season, potentially bringing the curtain down on his two years at Tannadice.

“I don’t want to speculate too much but it looks like he’ll be out for a period of time,” said a visibly gutted United boss Tam Courts.

“We only got the results on Thursday and, although we don’t know the full extent, it is safe to say his season is over. And I think he is going to be out for a wee while.

“It’s bad news for him on a personal level but we’ll do everything we can for him.

“Sparky is someone we have a lot of time and respect for. We would support any player, anyway, but we’ll certainly provide that (facilities) for him. We just need to get a timescale on it.”

McNulty will be out of contract this summer, with his deal at the Royals due to expire.

The 29-year-old has, in no uncertain terms, made it clear that he has no interest in remaining at Reading, having been given scarce opportunities to shine with the Championship club.

Asked whether United could pursue a permanent move for the player, despite his fitness setback, Courts continued: “I don’t know the level of conversations between Tony (Asghar, sporting director) and Sparky’s agent.

“He is leaving Reading after a long-term contract and I’m sure he’ll have options. And he’s probably got a little extra time now to consider his next move, now.”

This latest setback rather typifies a maddening campaign for the ex-Hibs and Livingston man, having missed three