Mellon vows to keep giving young talent ‘a blast at it’

United manager Micky Mellon vowed to keep giving young players their chance after a youthful frontline led them to victory at Motherwell.

Defender Mark Reynolds grabbed the only goal but United were well served in attack with 21-year-old Louis Appere the oldest player in a trio with wide players Luke Bolton and Logan Chalmers.

Mellon made a bold decision to leave Nicky Clark on the bench with Lawrence Shankland missing with an ankle knock, but his faith in youth was vindicated.

“It’s important for Scottish football that we look to give these young players the opportunities to have a blast at it,” Mellon said.

“I thought young Louis and Logan were fantastic and all through the team we were very young. But we don’t count age as an obstacle in playing.

“In Dundee United’s history, they have always dipped into their own academy for recruitment and it will be no different when I’m here.

“We are blessed that we have some very good young boys who can come and handle this type of football and that’s what we will continue to do.”

Well manager Stephen Robinson is still looking for the right combination up front after a second 1-0 defeat.

Sherwin Seedorf was again the liveliest of the front players with Christopher Long and Jake Hastie ineffective. He also brought Tony Watt, Jordan White, Jermaine Hylton and his son, Harry Robinson, off the bench.

Robinson, who will again be without the suspended Callum Lang against Livingston on Wednesday, said: “I’m toying about with the front three, you can see that.

“Our front three is my problem, finding the right combination.

“Callum Lang gives us that balance on the left-hand side, he’s a hybrid between a striker and a wide player like we had last season with Devante (Cole) and James (Scott). So once he’s back he solves that problem for me.

“It’s up to other people to step up. I’m stating the obvious when I say we haven’t found the perfect combination.”