Charlie Telfer caught derby fever the moment he scored the goal that hit Dundee for six.
Now he is dreaming of another memorable meeting between the two city clubs at Tannadice tomorrow, even though it would be a lot to ask for another 6-2 rout as happened on the first day of the year.
Indeed, if you offered the Tangerines a scrappy single-goal victory earned by a last-minute deflection they would grab it if it meant they finished fourth.
That precious Premiership place is what is at stake for United as they try to beat the neighbours and hope St Johnstone fail to match their result up at Aberdeen.
It is all ifs and buts at the moment and even if they do finish fourth they will have to wait and see if Inverness Caley Thistle lift the Scottish Cup next Saturday an outcome that would then secure them a Europa League spot.
Given the stakes, Dundee’s emergence as a top-six team and the poor form United have shown since the heady days of the festive period, there won’t be too many punters putting even a pound on a repeat of that January 1 scoreline.
Nevertheless, Telfer thinks it could still be a good day for his club.
He said: “I scored goal number six in that derby and it was great to see the ball hitting the back of the net.
“I would love it if I could have some kind of involvement in what is another huge game for us this time.
“I remember that we started well in that New Year fixture and took it from there really.”
He was asked if he lost count as the goals rained down on Dundee but resisted the temptation to gloat.
Sporting a smile, he said: “No I didn’t but it was a unique experience for everyone I think because every single thing clicked for us that day.
“The wee bit of luck that we needed came our way, too, so it was a brilliant occasion for me and for United.
“In the days afterwards, I got some comments from fans when I was going through town and you also heard the singing and chanting in the stands during the match. The banter was great.
“Dundee did make up for that defeat in the last derby at Dens so they will be confident going into this match.
“We just have to overturn that last result and get the win we need on Sunday.”
The final fixture of a season is a time to look at the bigger picture and Telfer stressed he has been happy with how things have turned out since moving from Rangers in the summer.
Indeed, he declared: “I think this has been the best decision I have ever made.
“I made a slow start to the season but I have kicked on since then.
“You are seeing players at Rangers now getting their chance but I felt I had to move on.
“I needed to do it for myself in order to move my career forward.”
A next giant step in Telfer’s development would be European football and, in a week’s time, he could be looking out his passport.
“Getting into Europe would be a massive thing for me,” he said.
“We have an opportunity if results go our way this weekend and Inverness win the Scottish Cup final.
“It is exciting.
“I think if we could get into Europe it would great for us as a team.
“You could come up against some top opposition but I feel we would give it a go at that level.
“We need to get our own three points and then hopefully Aberdeen can do us a turn.
“We must beat Dundee first and foremost. If we do that and it doesn’t go our way at Pittodrie then that’s the way it goes.
“Hopefully, it works out for us.”