League placing: 5th Scottish Cup: 5th round League Cup: semi-final
PERSONNEL CHANGES
Ins: Danny Cadamarteri, forward; Jennison Myrie-Williams, forward; Steve Banks, goalkeeper/coach; Andy Webster, defender; Damian Casalinuovo, forward.
Outs: Lukasz Zaluska, goalkeeper; Michael McGovern, goalkeeper; Danny Grainger, defender.
WHAT THEY SAY
Craig Levein Dundee United manager
We've added more depth to the squad and I'm pleased with the quality of the new arrivals.
The new players, for various different reasons, will help us enormously.
We hope to be better this season than we were last time and I think we are a better team now.
We improved last season from the one before and we aim to do that again.
We've come a long way and the signs are really good. I expect big things from a lot of players this season and expect us to improve as a team.
WHAT WE SAY
Jim Spence BBC Scotland football reporter
Dundee United look a strong bet this season to book the European spot they narrowly missed out on last time round.
Solid goalkeeping credentials apply to Steve Banks and Nicky Weaver, while Lee Wilkie and Garry Kenneth's central defensive partnership will continue to physically intimidate opposing forwards while offering opposing defences serious threat from set-pieces.
The addition, on a season's loan, of Andy Webster will give United a combination of quality, strength and poise at the back.
The midfield fulcrum of the Tannadice outfit can boss games for Craig Levein. A fully-fit Scott Robertson, who has the engine of an Ethiopan middle distance runner, allied to the joyously crafted talents of Morgaro Gomis will give United a rhythm and a drive through the middle that will be a handful for any side to match.
Up front, English striker Danny Cadamarteri has the physique and the nous to hold the ball in, which should compliment the pace and alertness of teenager David Goodwillie, who could be set to make the transition from a bright young thing to a goalscoring star.
Francisco Sandaza found his feet quickly in the Scottish game last season and the Spaniard's strength and nimbleness for a big man could see him profit even more handsomely in the goal stakes.
Pace is a key asset in the game and, in Paul Dixon, Danny Swanson and Craig Conway, United have three young players who, from the back through the middle to up front, have it in abundance.
If they can ally their youthful enthusiasm to more consistency, United will have three potent weapons to exploit any sign of sluggishness in their opponents ranks. Between them they strike the ball with ferocity and vigour - and again, with each being a year older, Levein's insightful coaching will have improved all three.
Levein says he has added depth and quality to his United side this season and, in this their centenary year, the Tannadice men are a good bet for a third-place finish and perhaps an elusive cup win.
WHAT YOU SAY
Nothing but blue skies for us Arabs going into the new season. We might have dropped away badly last season, but nobody's been busier in the transfer window than us, so that should keep us well in the mix for third and a decent shout at a cup. chutoy
54 points and not going out of either of the cups to a lower team will do me. That would be one point more than last season (which was one point more than the season previous) and would show the steady but not reckless progress made by United under Levein.
Would love a cup win or third place. But, as long as the team continues to improve, I'll be contented. Drunken-Hobo
It has a lot to do with who we lose in the January window. We tend to lose a player or two and go on a poor run when it matters. Sorry boys, but its true. pettygrew
I have a feeling Cadamarteri is going to be an inspired signing and the opportunity is there for young Goodwillie to really seize his chance in the early part of this season and catapult himself into the public eye. If we can iron out the defensive faults and tighten up the midfield then you can understand why we are optimistic of an improved campaign. IvanGolacIsMagic
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