How did Dundee United finish last season? Without a win in their final seven matches, United's campaign ended on a flat note. Having been real contenders for a Uefa Cup spot, the Terrors had to settle for a rather disappointing fifth-place.
Manager: Craig Levein arrived at Tannadice in October 2006 after an undistinguished spell at Leicester City.
The Harry Potter look-a-like started his managerial career at Cowdenbeath and made his name at Hearts, the club he represented as a classy central defender.
Captain: Defender Lee Wilkie took the armband when Barry Robson left for Celtic in January. Wilkie's career was in jeopardy after a series of serious knee injuries but he has been a tower of strength since his short move from city rivals Dundee and could well resurrect his international career if he maintains the form he showed last term.
Scottish top-flight highlights: United's greatest season came in 1982/83 when they won the Premier Division title with what was then a record number of points and record number of goals scored. Under the guidance of Jim McLean, United were a top class side throughout the 80s.
Dundee Utd legend: Now in charge at Plymouth, Paul Sturrock was the star man in McLean's side. He spent 15 years at Tannadice as an attacking midfielder before spells as a coach and manager. Capped 20 times for Scotland, 'Luggy' made more than 500 appearances for club, scoring 171 goals.
Star man: United lost the influential Robson mid-season and now last term's top-scorer Noel Hunt has moved on. However, Levein has unearthed a gem in Prince Buaben.
The 20-year-old from Ghana is a powerful box-to-box player, who is very comfortable in possession. The former Ajax trainee even had the cheek to open the scoring against Barcelona last month.
Strengths: Levein's teams are always well organised at the back and they only conceded 14 league goals on home soil last season. Buaben and Morgaro Gomis form an excellent central midfield duo and Danny Swanson, who has been used as an impact player from the bench, is full of tricks.
Weaknesses: United could only win five league games on the road last season.
Our verdict: The arrival of former Valencia reserve Francesco Sandaza has got the fans excited but it remains to be seen if the Spaniard can compensate for the loss of Hunt's goals. The return of Willo Flood looks like a good bit of business, while Levein's other summer recruits should ensure another decent tilt at third place.
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