Alex Smith has decided it is no longer appropriate for Jason de Vos to remain team captain after the Canadian had publicly admitted that he wants to quit United, although there is no question of him being droppped.
Smith said: "Jason's situation prompted a conflict of interest. A Dundee United captain can have no distractions. I need someone who will commit 100%. I felt that we could not have a skipper who has admitted that he wants to play elsewhere."
The United manager is in the fortunate position that several players in the United team appear to have all the right qualities to be the ideal replacement.