First Team
Match Report | Dundee United 3-0 Ross County
9th November 2024
Dundee United will face a tough challenge as the first team head to Fir Park to take on Motherwell at the quarter-final stage of the Premier Sports Cup.
Manager Jim Goodwin is well aware of the significance of this fixture, as a victory would send the team to Hampden Park, offering the Arabs a rare opportunity to witness their side in a major cup semi-final.
Speaking ahead of the match, Goodwin highlighted the importance of the occasion for the club’s supporters. “There's an opportunity there to get to the semi-final and give our fans a day at Hampden, which hasn't happened for a considerable period of time. The last time the club was there in a cup competition was during COVID, with no fans in attendance. You probably have to go back nine or ten years to when they last experienced that.”
Dundee United's fans have been a loyal presence through thick and thin, especially following the club’s relegation. With over 2,000 tickets sold for the match at Fir Park, Goodwin acknowledged their unwavering support, which he believes could play a pivotal role on the night. "Our fans have stuck with the club, traveling in great numbers. Friday night will be no different, and they will be important for us. They’ve always got behind the team, and under the lights, in a good atmosphere, it should be special."
Motherwell represents a formidable opponent, coming into the match with a strong run of form prior to their narrow loss to Aberdeen. Goodwin is under no illusions about the task ahead. "We know how good a team Motherwell are. They carry an attacking threat and are always well-organized. It’s two good teams going head-to-head, and it should be a very entertaining game."
Despite suffering a defeat to Rangers in their last outing, Goodwin remains upbeat about his side's chances. "The result hasn't dampened our confidence. We know the mistakes we made, but we also showed good character. We reacted well after going a goal behind, and we will take those positives into Friday's game."
With a number of new players in the squad this season, Goodwin emphasized the opportunity for them to make their mark by leading the team to a major cup semi-final. “For a lot of our players, this would be their first time playing at Hampden. That’s a huge incentive for them. We’ve brought players here with the promise of big occasions like this, and now it’s up to them to grasp that opportunity.”
Goodwin has demonstrated tactical flexibility throughout the season, adapting his system to fit different opponents. He indicated that the same could be expected against Motherwell. "We've shown good flexibility in our system. We’ve played 4-3-3 and 3-5-2, depending on the game. We will make sure the players are prepared to adapt as necessary."
While Dundee United has made a positive start to the season, the Premier Sports Cup remains a priority. "This competition is high on our agenda. Our main focus is, of course, to maintain our Premiership status, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have ambitions to go far in the cups. Getting to a semi-final would be a great achievement for this new group of players."
As the club prepare for the high-stakes encounter, Goodwin is confident that his side can rise to the challenge. "We’ve shown we can compete with tough opposition this season. Now, it’s about bouncing back from our last result, and the only way to do that is by winning on Friday and progressing to the semi-finals."
With the fans behind them and Hampden in sight, Dundee United will be eager to make the most of this opportunity and continue their cup run.
