IT’S the time of year for reflection, but there will be a fair few on Tannadice Street who’d rather consign the last 12 months to a particularly out-of-reach book at the back of the cupboard.
A few standout moments aside - finishing fourth, that night against AZ Alkmaar, the thumping of Aberdeen - 2022 won’t exactly be remembered in these parts of the world with the fondness of 1987 or 2010.
Even the Championship-winning 2020 probably felt halcyon in comparison to that other night against AZ. Or that one versus Celtic. Or the meagre return of six wins by Christmas Day, spanning three managers and several high-profile signings.
But a new year is also a time for opportunity, and at least United ended this one on a relative high, losing just one of their last four games. Wednesday’s fine 3-0 win was enough to leapfrog Ross County off the Premiership’s trapdoor, ensuring the Hogmanay shandies can be enjoyed with a modicum of comfort.
“There is progress all the time and consistent messages to the team,” said United’s Charlie Mulgrew, reflecting on the recent spell. “We reevaluate it and see if we’re moving forward. I think we are.
“You always want that process to be quicker, but we keep moving forward.
“We keep trying to put on performances that will give us the points over the course.”
This period of improvement has coincided with two (unrelated) events. The replacement of Jack Ross in the dugout with Liam Fox, and an injury that has kept Mulgrew out of the side since September.
“Nobody wants to be injured,” the 36-year-old said. “It’s really frustrating as a footballer and you are almost institutionalised to be ready for a game at the weekend.
“It is hard to get your head round, no matter how many times it has happened to you. You need to keep your head straight and be ready when called upon again.”
When asked if his injury struggle was compounded by feeling relatively helpless on the sidelines, the former Scotland internationalist said: “Of course. That’s when you try and help as much as you can on the other side of it. It’s not easy and you want to help the lads. That’s why you’re in this game.”
With St Johnstone, Rangers, Hibernian and Livingston all to come in the next few weeks, there’s a feeling United’s recent purple patch could continue. Not that Fox was admitting such a thing was on his mind in the wake of the County win, and Mulgrew was of a similar mindset.
He said: “You can’t just say: ‘let’s put a run together.’ How do you do that? Working on things each day and putting them into practice in the game.
“Different things happen during different spells of the game. You need to show character. We stuck in tonight and showed character.
“We want to go on a run, of course we do. Every team does. You need to concentrate on the things you need to do for that to happen.”
On a night where County squandered chances and United took theirs, Mulgrew marked his return with a fine header to all but secure the points. That came in the 70th minute, with the home side desperate to build on Connor Randall’s first-half own goal. A late Craig Sibbald stunner put some shine on the scoreline.
“I don’t think I was having a great game up until then but it was a great time to score, and a great feeling," he said.
“I was delighted to see it hit the net at a great time for us.
“I just realised tonight that’s my first game since VAR came in, which seems like decades ago.”
While United can savour ending the year off the foot of the table, the same can’t be said for Ross County. In many ways, the game was their season in a microcosm; play well, create chances, fail to put them away and be punished. That can’t go on if they are to remain a top flight team.
“We have been down there before,” said defender Keith Watson. “A couple of seasons ago, when Yogi [John Hughes] was the manager, we turned it around then.
“There are players in the squad that can get the boys going.
“We are definitely up for this fight. The big thing is we will stick together, get around the boys and get the buzz around training.”
