Danny Swanson has been such a grumpy young man recently, even his dad has stopped calling him for their regular phone chats.
The midfielder’s bad mood has been caused by a series of niggling injuries that have sidelined him for most of this season.
His only league start was in August at Tynecastle against Hearts, but he only lasted three minutes before pulling up injured again.
Swanson previously spent months on the sidelines with a knee injury but admits this time is much worse because it has been so difficult to get to the root of the trouble.
There is now light at the end of the tunnel after a back problem was pinpointed as the reason for the injuries. After seeing a chiropractor, Swanson has finally started training again.
“I have been in a terrible mood lately and I think I’ve fallen out with everyone,” the midfielder said. “My dad usually phones me every day but he knows I am injured and how crabbit I’m going to be so he does not even bother now.
“I’ve fallen out with my pals and the boys here at Tannadice because I am so frustrated at not being able to play. I know it’s not anyone else’s fault but my head just goes because of the frustration. What has made it worse is that it is not just one thing.
“When I injured my knee, I knew what the problem was and how long it was going to take me to get back.
“You had a target to aim for and you knew what you had to do. With this one, it is a million times worse because nobody has really known what is causing it.
“Now, they think it is coming from my back so that is a positive step. Although it is very much a case of one day I feel fine and the next I wake up in pain. I have started training again but I am still not at full pelt. I am just doing what I can at the moment to see how it goes.
“It has been a hard season because I have only managed to start one game and even that lasted just three minutes.
“Although I have been falling out with them, the lads have been great. Jon Daly is always asking me how I am and Craig Conway was injured recently so he’s been a big help.”
Club captain Daly should be available to face Motherwell after picking up a head knock against Celtic last weekend.
United manager Peter Houston said, “Jon got a sore one on Sunday and it cut him open. He’s got a cracker of a black eye but he’s trained away no problem and will be available for the weekend.”