Arbroath manager Dick Campbell was forced to do some clock watching the last time he was in the Tannadice dugout.
His Lichties players were leading the runaway Championship leaders 1-0 as the September 21 clash moved into its 88th minute.
By then, Campbell’s neck would have been sore as he gazed up to count down every second.
However, time wasn’t on his side.
There followed a heartbreaking finale for him and his players as United’s star striker Lawrence Shankland first equalised then scored the winner two minutes into stoppage time.
Campbell joked: “I have a few memories from that day as you can imagine but one that really stands out is looking at that big stadium clock they have and hoping it would hurry up.”
Arbroath will welcome back front pair Craig Wighton and Dale Hilson for the trip to Tannadice.
On-loan Hearts man Wighton and Hilson were both cup-tied for the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round replay defeat to Falkirk on Tuesday night.
They will return for the league clash with United as Campbell looks for improvement after that loss to the League One Bairns.
The Lichties gaffer said: “We were far better than Falkirk in the first half but then made a stupid mistake that cost a goal just after the break.
“I admit that they were then much better than us in the second half.
“Unfortunately, we are out of the cup and cost the club a lot of money (they would have played Hearts at home in the last 16 had they beaten the Bairns).
“Now we have to look forward to playing United and the players were excellent in that first match against them.
“Robbie Neilson (the Tangerines’ manager) is a good friend of mine and he is now looking to get his team over the line.
“I know how hard it can be to do that.”
Miko Virtanen came off injured at the Falkirk Stadium but is expected to be fit, while Michael McKenna has had a knock but should also be OK.
