MYSTERY TRIALIST IS RONNIE O’BRIEN

Manager Alex Smith confirmed on Friday that the mystery trialist who has impressed at Tannadice this week is Juventus midfielder Ronnie O'Brien. United are now holding discussions with the Italian giants in a bid to secure the 22-year-old Republic of Ireland Under-21 internationalist on loan until the end of the season. ''Ronnie has done very well and hopefully we can get him fixed up. As well as his loan period we would like an option to buy him at the end of it,'' said Alex. Any deal will not be completed in time for Dublin-born O'Brien to be considered for Saturday's home clash with Dunfermline and also missing that one will be injured striker Steve Thompson.