Just two new faces required at Dundee United

If Dundee United fans were expecting a wave of new faces in January in an effort to turnaround the club’s unenviable league form, they have been rather mistaken.

United are eight points adrift at the foot of the Ladbrokes Premiership, and a change of management in October saw Mixu Paatelainen replace Jackie McNamara.

The former Tannadice striker hasn’t had the impact in terms of points on the board that he may have hoped for, but only Aberdeen and Celtic have beaten United by more than one goal since Paatelainen took charge.

United are 1/2 to be relegated this season, but their manager is only planning on a handful of changes when the transfer window opens next month, having already brought in Gavin Gunning, Guy Demel and former Liverpool man Florent Sinama Pongolle.

Paatelainen is also still trying to finalise the work permit for Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima but the stopper’s debut must wait for now.

“There might be one or two players arriving and one or two players leaving but nothing drastic, nothing too big,” the 48-year-old explained.

“I feel like we’ve improved our squad already quite well and we’ll get better in due course when those players settle in.

“One or two additions to the squad in January is needed and if and when those players become available we will consider doing business,” the ex-Finland international added.

The Tannadice boss has also stated that despite his emotional pitchside antics, losing his cool won’t help the team: “I am animated as always. You don’t want to take that part of you away. I am calm though.”

“I don’t think about the league position during matches. I don’t think anyone does,” Paatelainen expressed.

“I care, I feel it. I want to help these players and be there with them.”

The Finn also warned there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed: “That is the bottom line, but if you get too frustrated and caught up in it and too unhappy with how things go, it can affect your concentration.”

United’s next opportunity for points is an away trip at Inverness this weekend.

The Terrors are 13/5 to claim a first away success since early August, but that could be value with Inverness winning just three times at home.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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