First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
CARLISLE UNITED 0
DUNDEE UNITED 2 - (33' Moult, 44' Middleton)
3PM SATURDAY 29 JULY
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
BRUNTON PARK
Jim Goodwin’s side rounded off their cinch Championship preparations with a 2-0 victory at Brunton Park this afternoon.
THE TEAM TALK
The most notable inclusion was that of Declan Gallagher, who featured for the first time in a United jersey.
After being rested in midweek, Louis Moult made a welcome return to the fold alongside Glenn Middleton and Liam Grimshaw.
There were places on the bench for eight academy graduates.
A BRIGHT START
United were on the front foot early on with a number of dangerous breaks down the left flank. Mathew Cudjoe was the first to try his luck as he cut inside and stung the palms of Tomas Holy.
It was a sign of things to come from the men in tangerine who enjoyed large spells of possession and attempts at goal in a positive first 45 minutes.
We again went close to an opener after thirteen minutes. Middleton did exceptionally well to evade a number of challenges before pulling it back into the centre of the box. Eventually, the ball broke at the back post for Moult who could only crash his effort off the post from a narrow angle.
United did eventually hit the front twenty minutes later as Moult grabbed his second United goal in as many starts.
Tenacious play from McMann saw him win a 50/50 thirty-five yards from goal. Taking the ball in his stride, he delivered a pinpoint cross for Moult who slid home unmarked at the back post.
END TO END
Five minutes before the break a superb save from Jack Walton denied Carlisle an equaliser.
It came at a crucial time for United, who doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time.
A lofted ball into the box caused trouble for Holy who spilled it under pressure from Moult. It fell kindly in the centre of the box for Middleton who arrowed home a low, driven strike.
Heading in two goals up was no less than Jim Goodwin's side deserved after a slick first-half performance.
THE SECOND PERIOD
Just three minutes after the restart, Ross Graham replaced Kevin Holt in the centre of defence.
Large spells of second-half possession followed, but we failed to inflict further damage on the hosts.
The closest we came to a second was through Tony Watt who found himself on the end of a clever reverse pass from Craig Sibbald. After lifting his head he let fly but a strong hand from Holy sent the ball behind for a corner.
The last of the action came as United made six substitutes, ensuring the full complement got minutes at Brunton Park.
73’ | 6?? United changes ????
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) July 29, 2023
?? Watt, Grimshaw, McMann, Sibbald, Gallagher and Cudjoe
?? O’Donnell, MacLeod, Duffy, Glass, Thomson and Denham
???? 0??-2?? ???? | #CRLUTD | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/pfXYGZobHx
TEAMLINE
Starting XI: Walton, Holt, Grimshaw, Moult, Sibbald, Middleton, Docherty, Cudjoe, Gallagher, Watt, McMann
Subs: Newman, Denham, Graham, Meekison, Glass, Freeman, Duffy, MacLeod, Thomson, O'Donnell
TRAVELLING SUPPORT
A 738-strong tangerine army made the trip south of the border! Thank you for your support.
POST-MATCH THOUGHTS
???? "I really enjoyed the game. Defensively we looked solid, there was a great shape to the team, and in possession, there was some really good attacking football."#DUFC Manager Jim Goodwin Chats to DUTV following our 2-0 victory at Brunton Park ???? pic.twitter.com/ddHHkZ6yb6
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) July 29, 2023
NEXT UP
Attention turns to league action as we face Arbroath at Gayfield on Friday night.
