Alex Marr, @SPFLWatch and @alexmarr98
Rating: 7/10.
Height of ambitions this season: Fifth place in the Premiership is probably the target as the top four is always hard to break into and Aberdeen and Hibs will both get their act together this season. In the last few seasons, United have struggled in the cups, so hopefully a couple of trips to Hampden this season could happen.
It’s been a decade since United were last in Europe and getting to the Conference League group stage would be a game changer financially.
Rate your club’s summer transfer activity: 7.5/10 – In terms of the personnel lost, goalkeeper Benji Siegrist is a big blow – he’s probably saved United 10-15 points a season – and losing him to Celtic does feel like a double-blow.
It took Jack Ross a while to sign anyone, but securing silky Welsh midfielder Dylan Levitt on permanent deal from Manchester United for £300,000 is probably the best signing of the window in the entire SPFL. Steven Fletcher is a like-for-like improvement on Marc McNulty up front, while midfielder Ian Harkes’ contract extension cannot be understated, but at least another three more additions are needed in a very thinly spread squad.
Player to look out for: Mathew Cudjoe. The young Ghanaian midfielder’s cameo appearance against Hibs last season showed what his technical ability and he’s quickly become a fan favourite.
Player whose time is up: This will probably be Charlie Mulgrew’s last season as a first-team player at United, but hopefully we’ll still see many more brilliant Sportscene interviews from the veteran defender this season.
Area most needing strengthening: After losing Siegrist, goalkeeper is probably where the club need to strengthen the most. United have brought in Australian Mark Birighitti, but Finland international Saku Eriksson has yet to make a competitive appearance since he arrived in January.
Opposition player you’d love at your club: Celtic’s Jota is the best player in the Premiership.
Happy with your manager? Tam Courts’ exit was obviously a loss, especially given it’s the third season in a row were we’ve lost our manager. The last manager to last two full seasons was Jackie McNamara, which isn’t a great record. Despite his questionable dress-sense, Jack Ross does seem a very good appointment and is probably an improvement on Courts.
One lesson to take into new season: If you don’t create chances, you don’t score. United managed a minor miracle to finish fourth with as few chances and goals as we managed – eighth when it came to expected goals for – last season.
