Inside track
Stuart Duff, the Scotland under-21 midfielder, hopes that he will have silverware to savour next May
What do your club have to do to improve this season?
Get off to a better start to gain some momentum
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Which game are you most looking forward to?
Aberdeen at Pittodrie, when all my family can come along
Which young player at your club should we look out for next season?
Aaron Conway
Realistically, what would be a successful season for your club?
Finishing in the top three or four in the league. Cup runs as well
If it's not your club, who do you think will win the title, the Scottish Cup, and the Champions League?
Celtic will win the League, us for the Scottish Cup and Real Madrid to conquer Europe once more
What is the ideal number of teams in the top flight?
12
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If money was no object and you could sign one player for your club, who would it be? And why?
Zinedine Zidane: his all-round skill and flair would boost the Tannadice gate
Worst ground to play at? And why?
Rugby Park, because I missed the team bus along with David Winters for an under-21 game and had to travel there in Alex Smith's car — and Alex, our old manager, was not amused
What was your club's best performance last season?
Winning 1-0 at Partick Thistle in the second last game of the season to make sure we stayed up
And the worst?
The 2-1 defeat at Hearts when I helped set up one of their goals
What was your most memorable moment last season?
Getting Scotland under-21 call-up
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And the funniest?
Craig Easton going home to make cakes rather than buying them after being named the worst player that week in training. He's renowned for being tight
Who gave the best individual performance against you last season?
Mikel Arteta ran the show for Rangers at Tannadice in a game played just before Christmas
Which is the best set of away fans you have encountered?
Aberdeen — they always stick together
Which club provides the best/worst half-time cups of tea?
Tannadice is worst, although kitchen staff won't like hearing that. Livingston's the best
If you could opt for any musician, who would you choose to write and perform a new club song?
Jimi Hendrix
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Who would you watch, Jim Delahunt or Rob McLean?
Rob McLean
One thing you could change about the game?
Tougher rules for players feigning injury
Hardest part of being a pro?
Pre-season, especially this season
One tip for aspiring footballers?
Believe in yourself
One word to describe your mood on the eve of the new season?
Optimistic
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Describe manager Ian McCall in three words: Charismatic, ambitious, committed
3 key questions that will decide this season
1 How quickly can Dundee United's many new players gel into an effective unit?
Ian McCall set out to sign 10 players during the summer and has come close to achieving his aim. The arrival of the likes of Derek McInnes, Owen Coyle and Scott Paterson has been complemented by the assiduous captures of Mark Kerr, Collin Samuel and Barry Robson. But while the new faces will refresh the United squad, it is uncertain how long it will take for the individuals to merge into a coherent side. Team-building takes time, but if McCall can correctly judge the balance between experience and youthful zest, United could develop into an exciting force
2 Will Charlie Miller blossom or wilt under Ian McCall's management techniques?
Since leaving Rangers, Miller has appeared to be on the road to nowhere. His ability is indisputable, but there are times when it is difficult not to reflect that he might consider his talent a burden. It is not unreasonable to expect somebody possessing his skills to be a more influential player. Every person is different, but the United manager knows how to reach inside players' minds, to manipulate their character. Miller will present perhaps his most testing challenge, but the rewards, should he succeed, would be significant
3 How will Dundee United cope with the weight of expectation?
While every other club in the Premierleague has been working to a reduced transfer budget, the Tannadice side have actually been spending more than in recent times. Bankrolled by new chairman Eddie Thompson, Ian McCall has been able to track the players he wants rather than simply those that he can afford.However, the club's supporters will expect success, and they will expect it soon. The ambition shown by the United manager and his chairman is laudable and they are desperate for the club to progress quickly. But one item they cannot purchase for themselves is time
New arrival
Former Morton and Rangers player Derek McInnes is a combative but cultured midfielder, who mixes a high workrate with precision passing. Immediately appointed club captain, McInnes will play a pivotal role, on and off the pitch. Having performed in the Champions League for Rangers and in the Premiership with West Brom, he is the most experienced member of the Tannadice dressing room. Signing him was a statement of McCall's intent and McInnes' performances will have a profound effect on the team's fortunes
Strongest XI
Gallacher
Griffin
Paterson
Archibald
Duff
Kerr
McInnes
Miller
Robson
Samuel
McIntyre
The squad
1 Paul GallacherG
2 Danny Griffin D
3 Jim Paterson D
4 Derek McInnes M
5 Alan Archibald D
6 Gary Bollan D
7 Mark Kerr M
8 Charlie Miller M
9 Collin Samuel F
10 Jim McIntyre F
11 Barry Robson M
12 Scott Paterson D
14 Billy Dodds F
15 Stuart Duff M
16 Owen Coyle F
17 Tony Bullock G
18 Craig Easton M
19 David McCracken D
20 Daniel Chiarini D
21 Mark Wilson D
Manager: Ian McCall
Celebrity fan
Lorraine Kelly, TV presenter
United are stepping into the unknown. There seems to be a masochistic streak running through our supporters. We always seem to be hanging on. Maybe the good times will return — I'm an eternal optimist
Where are they now?
Roger Boli: Left Walsall in 1998 to move to Tannadice. Transferred to Bournemouth after only four months. He is now working as an agent