United 0 Aberdeen 1

United lost out to a solitary goal from Kenny McLean in a hard fought encounter at Tannadice. By Gareth Scott Both sides had their chances, in particular a Mario Bilate effort who could have had United ahead at the break. However McLean's fortuitous header nine minutes from time settled the game. The waiting and guessing was over for Arabs when Aberdeen visited Tannadice for the much anticipated first game of the new season. Jackie McNamara handed debuts to Luis Zwick, Mark Durnan and Coll Donaldson with Rodney Sneijder, Darko Bodul and Simon Murray listed as substitutes. After a long trip in midweek, Derek McInnes utilised his squad with Willo Flood returning to captain the side and David Goodwillie dropping to the bench amongst their changes. First Half United started brightly and in the opening minute they won a corner. Spittal played it in low and Mark Durnan flashed the ball wide of target. There was then an early boost for Luis Zwick when he safely handled a deep Willo Flood corner. On the ten minute mark Shinnie whipped in a low cross and Zwick again gathered well. Chris Erskine was looking very lively for United and he latched on to a Bilate flick but the Aberdeen defence charged down his effort. Hayes then sent in a cross that Zwick punched clear, the ball fell to McLean and he shot just over. United then made their best chance of the afternoon when Erskine found himself in space at the edge of the box and his powerful strike was parried by Ward and then cleared by Taylor. Souttar and Erskine then combined with Souttar in the end heading wide of target. With 20 minutes gone Spittal brilliantly lost Logan on the left but his cross failed to find Bilate who was lurking in the six yard box. Ten minutes later the Dons went close when Flood's corner was met by Taylor who in turn found Rooney but fortunately for United he scooped the ball over. The game was flowing from end to end and United were almost caught when Smith set up McLean but Durnan did well to clear. On the stroke of half time United should have been ahead. United were pressurising the visitors defence and a slick pass found Bilate with space in the box. With only Ward to beat the keeper charged from his line and the score remained 0-0. Second Half United were forced to make a change at the start of the second half with new signing Marko Bodul coming on for Mario Bilate. United immediately won a corner and Spittal played a short pass to Dixon and his shot deflected and looped towards goal and Ward did well to punch clear. Seven minutes later Smith controlled the ball on his chest and he turned and volleyed just wide of the United goal. Aberdeen then had another chance when Hayes had space down the left but instead of trying to find Rooney he sliced the ball wide. Shortly after Murray came on to make his debut, taking the place of Charlie Telfer. United then went close to opening the scoring when Spittal floated a free kick that Durnan headed but Ward tipped the ball round the post. Chris Erskine then went on a fine run into the visitors box but he was forced wide and the attack broke down. Rodney Sneijder was then introduced and almost immediately United nearly broke the deadlock when Coll Donaldson headed over. There was then a nervous moment for the hosts when Zwick failed to handle a cross, the ball fell to Considine who saw his effort cleared off the line by McGowan. Unfortunately for United the game was settled in the 81st minute by a stroke of luck for the visitors. Goodwillie gathered the ball on the left and his left foot cross was flicked on by Kenny McLean and his ball looped over the helpless Zwick. Summing Up - This was a very tough, hard fought encounter when one goal was always going to decide it. United will rue the missed chance just before half time and on another day the result could have gone their way. Man of the match - There  were a number of decent displays with the defensive partnership of Durnan and Donaldson looking solid. Ryan McGowan put in a fighting performance but all United's attacking play came through Chris Erskine who put in an energetic display for United. Teams: United: Zwick, Dixon, Souttar, Rankin (Sneijder 71) Erskine, McGowan, Telfer (Murray 61), Durnan, Bilate (Bodul 46), Spittal, Donaldson Subs : McCallum, Dillon, Fraser, Muirhead Aberdeen: Ward, Logan, Shinnie, Consadine (Jack 77), Taylor, McLean, Flood, Rooney, Hayes (Goodwillie 67), Smith (McGinn 61), Quinn Subs : Brown, Robson, Pawlett, Wright Referee : Kevin Clancy Click here for the full report. Click here to view match pictures on Flickr.