Former Dundee United midfielder Calum Butcher has urged the club’s fans to get behind manager Jackie McNamara.
The Tangerines lost 2-1 at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday to drop down to second-bottom spot in the Premiership.
Butcher, who left United for Burton Albion in the summer, has been checking United’s results and is disappointed to see his old side struggling.
Many supporters voiced their frustration by booing at the final whistle but Butcher believes they should keep the faith with McNamara.
He said: “It hurts me a bit to see the results at my previous club just now. The United fans are great and they want the best rightly so.
“But they need to get behind Jackie during this tricky spell. He deserves it for what he has done there.
“The last thing he needs is the fans turning on him at this stage.
“I am sure he will turn it around but he will need everyone to stick together. Emotions were obviously running high among the supporters after losing to Killie and that’s because they care about their club.”
“But, at the end of the day, you have to remember he is a manager who has got to them to two major cup finals in back-to-back seasons,” said Butcher.
“So it is a time for calm heads from everyone. That’s the way they will get out of this.
“I don’t think anyone expected United to be sitting second bottom at this stage although it is still very early days.
“What it does mean, though, is that this Inverness game this weekend has now turned into a really important one.
“I think it might just take one result to get the fans back on side and I wouldn’t bet against United to go out there and get the three points against Inverness to kick-start their season.”
McNamara had to deal with losing star players Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong to Celtic in the January transfer window, before striker Nadir Ciftci also moved to Parkhead in the summer to make it a triple departure.
Butcher said: “It can’t be easy for the manager in that respect.
“He lost his two best players Gary and Stuart back in January and then he lost Nadir to Celtic not so long ago. No matter what anyone says, losing such key men is bound to have an impact.
“The new players brought in recently will take some time to gel.
“I think on this run the confidence is bound to take a dip, that’s only natural in football.
“There are still enough good players, though, in that dressing-room to get things going again and help them start climbing the table.”
Butcher enjoyed his two-year spell at Tannadice and admits he will always have a soft spot for his old club.
He said: “I still look out for United’s results every week.
“I was obviously disappointed to see they’d lost to Kilmarnock at the weekend.
“It’s a different team from last season but I still keep in touch with a few of the lads there.
“I hope they can get the win they are looking for this weekend.”