After Sunday afternoons bitterly disappointing League Cup Final defeat at the hands of Celtic is there any better way to fire back into action than facing the same team just three days later but this time in the Scottish Cup?
This being the third meeting between the sides in just two weeks, on Wednesday evening United travel to the East End of Glasgow to face the increasingly familiar Celtic with the winner guaranteed a Hampden Semi-Final meeting with Inverness next month.
A much needed boost for United sees the return of influential forward Nadir Ciftci who rather unfortunately missed out on Sunday show-piece League Cup Final due to suspension. Like the rest of the squad, Ciftci will be as hungry as ever to record United's first victory at Celtic Park since Boxing Day 1992 and progress even further in the prestigious Scottish Cup. Despite Ciftci's moral boosting return, captain Sean Dillon and fellow defender Paul Dixon are both unavailable having been shown red cards in the previous two clashes against Celtic.
Celtic, who have not shied away from displaying their hope of winning a domestic treble will have to do so without Stefan Johansen, Charlie Mulgrew and Mikael Lustig, however, fullback Adam Mathews is once again fit after returning from an ankle injury.
United's Scottish Cup campaign began last November against Motherwell and two second half goals from John Souttar and Keith Watson allowed United to progress into the fifth round in an encouraging 2-1 victory at Fir Park. The next round wasn't for another two months, but a quick-fire double from Ryan Dow and a clinical Chris Erskine strike soon put to bed any idea of a shock upset from Scottish League 2 hosts Stranraer. Drawn against Celtic for what is now the first of four matches between the sides in three weeks, last weekend United displayed a real gutsy and determined performance and in doing so earned a thoroughly deserved 1-1 draw and replay despite going down to nine men early in the second half.
Wednesday's tie once again has the potential to shape United's entire season and could give United an enormous opportunity to advance further in the Cup and collect further silverware. With the fans excellent backing and two teams desperate for cup glory, it could be another Cup classic between two sides willing to have a go.
Come on United!!
This being the third meeting between the sides in just two weeks, on Wednesday evening United travel to the East End of Glasgow to face the increasingly familiar Celtic with the winner guaranteed a Hampden Semi-Final meeting with Inverness next month.
A much needed boost for United sees the return of influential forward Nadir Ciftci who rather unfortunately missed out on Sunday show-piece League Cup Final due to suspension. Like the rest of the squad, Ciftci will be as hungry as ever to record United's first victory at Celtic Park since Boxing Day 1992 and progress even further in the prestigious Scottish Cup. Despite Ciftci's moral boosting return, captain Sean Dillon and fellow defender Paul Dixon are both unavailable having been shown red cards in the previous two clashes against Celtic.
Celtic, who have not shied away from displaying their hope of winning a domestic treble will have to do so without Stefan Johansen, Charlie Mulgrew and Mikael Lustig, however, fullback Adam Mathews is once again fit after returning from an ankle injury.
United's Scottish Cup campaign began last November against Motherwell and two second half goals from John Souttar and Keith Watson allowed United to progress into the fifth round in an encouraging 2-1 victory at Fir Park. The next round wasn't for another two months, but a quick-fire double from Ryan Dow and a clinical Chris Erskine strike soon put to bed any idea of a shock upset from Scottish League 2 hosts Stranraer. Drawn against Celtic for what is now the first of four matches between the sides in three weeks, last weekend United displayed a real gutsy and determined performance and in doing so earned a thoroughly deserved 1-1 draw and replay despite going down to nine men early in the second half.
Wednesday's tie once again has the potential to shape United's entire season and could give United an enormous opportunity to advance further in the Cup and collect further silverware. With the fans excellent backing and two teams desperate for cup glory, it could be another Cup classic between two sides willing to have a go.
Come on United!!