4 Dundee United talking points: Can Liam Fox solve Tangerines’ biggest problem after St Johnstone defeat?

Dundee United’s nightmare start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat against St Johnstone in Liam Fox’s first fixture as permanent head coach.

There were modest signs of progress. An xG (expected goals) of 1.27 to the Saintees’ 0.72. Nineteen shots to 12, and 29 touches in the opposition box.

There was more tempo and attacking endeavour to the performance compared to other showings this term — albeit the Terrors must be more pro-active and clinical in the final third.

All of which will rightly be met by a resigned shrug from red-up United fans.

Any semblance of positivity was rendered entirely irrelevant by the familiar failings that have haunted United this term, allowing the visitors to score two unforgivably simple goals through Stevie May and Melker Hallberg.

Tony Watt’s late strike proved to be mere consolation and the winless Tangerines remain rooted to the foot of the Premiership.

Courier Sport analyses the major talking points following another miserable afternoon for the hosts at Tannadice.

Can Dundee United fix their midfield woes?

The sight was all-too familiar.

Dundee United fail to win a loose ball following Ross Graham’s clearing header and, in a heartbeat, the opposition are swarming.

St Johnstone bodies fly into the chasm between United’s defence and their midfield. Physical contact isn’t made, runs aren’t blocked, teal-and-magenta jerseys are not tracked.

Within seconds, May finds Hallberg inside the box and the unmarked Swede sweeps the ball into the net. Two-nil to the visitors. It would prove an insurmountable lead.

It is a recurring, defining image of this dire campaign to date: a meek United midfield being instantaneously overrun on the break as soon as they surrender possession.

Honestly, this second goal (not that the first goal is much better) is awful.

And so familiar.

Feel like I've watched United lose possession and, with no safety net of a specialised No.6, get immediately swamped on the break about 20 times this season.pic.twitter.com/iK2SqvTQQb

— Alan Temple (@alanftemple) October 2, 2022

While hardly a fresh observation, the lack of a specialised, combative player who can occupy that space between the back-line and the engine room — providing a safety net when attacks break down — looks a major oversight in recruitment.

All available evidence suggests Levitt, Harkes and McGrath is not a functional midfield three in the Scottish Premiership. The trio won a combined three tackles, made zero interceptions, zero clearances and committed three fouls on Saturday.

By comparison, Jamie Murphy, Ryan McGowan and Melker Hallberg won five tackles, made four interceptions, three clearances and committed four fouls.

While United’s possession of 64.4% is a mitigating factor — affording the Saints more opportunity to make defensive actions — the difference is stark and backs up the rather obvious eye test.

So what now? Where is Craig Sibbald? Did Archie Meekison do enough to earn a start? Can Liam Smith reprise his midfield role from last season?

It is an unenviable quandary for Fox — and he is most definitely not to blame for United’s failure to replace either Jeando Fuchs or Calum Butcher.

Sadat Anaku impresses — but learns a harsh lesson

St Johnstone’s first goal wasn’t much prettier from a United perspective.

Firstly, Anaku must do better. He loses his duel with Andy Considine far too easily.

However, it would be farcical to blame Anaku for the fact Considine’s subsequent lofted 30-yard pass is enough to send May through to break the deadlock.

The back-three was dangerously high — again, the lack of a deeper midfielder perhaps forces the defence to squeeze up — and neither played offside, nor had anyone seemingly primed to cover around in case of a ball over the top.

But back to Anaku.

He is evidently a raw talent, but a talent nonetheless. He had more shots in the box (five) and more touches in the box (six) than any other player on the pitch.

Only a fine Remi Matthews save in the second half denied Anaku his first United goal.

And his heat map (pictured above) tells the story of a tireless showing, covering the ground and desperately seeking to get involved.

Plenty to build on; plenty to be excited by.

Jamie McGrath could be the key to any United revival

If questions persist regarding the make-up of United’s midfield, none should be directed at McGrath.

The Ireland international was superb against Rangers, claiming his first assist for the Tangerines.

And he continued that form against the Saints.

The on-loan Wigan man created six chances (three times more than any other player on the pitch), boasted a 90% accuracy from his 21 passes in the final third and won possession 10 times (more than any other United player).

Put this man in a balanced, functional side, and he looks ready to make a proper impact.

Attacking impetus from the bench

Tony Watt notched his first goal since February — and just his second since joining United in January — to briefly give the hosts a semblance of hope.

Replacing Steven Fletcher, Watt was deployed in a far more traditional No.9 role and enjoyed one of his more impactful outings this term.

He registered two shots on target — one of which forced a fine save from Matthews — had three touches in the box and a personal xG of 0.46 (for context, May’s xG was 0.14).

Meekison also made a difference when he replaced the ineffectual Harkes, showcasing a couple of devilish turns and fizzing effective passes into the final third.

And the newly-minted Scotland under-21 international at least sought to get stuck in — so much so, that he was booked during his 20 minutes on the pitch.