TWO JIMS ONE WINNER

Goodwin's men soar but Thelin in big bother as United pile on misery

- BY SCOTT BURNS

JIM GOODWIN came back to haunt Aberdeen again as his Dundee United piled the pressure on struggling Jimmy Thelin.

The Irishman was sacked by the Dons in January 2023 but since then he has rebuilt his reputation and the Tamgerines in spectator style.

They now sit proudly in third spot in the league thanks to goals from Ivan Dolcek and Bert Esselink. It was their first Tannadice clash in 40 days and it was a happy homecoming.

United, on a fraction of Aberdeen's resources, pipped them to fourth spot on a dramatic last day of last season.

Goodwin brought in 13 players for a pittance over the summer compared to the big money Thelin and Aberdeen have spent.

Yet United look streets ahead of their northeast rivals who are rock bottom of the Premiership with just one point and no league goals.

It is Aberdeen's worst start in 26 years and unless there is a dramatic improvement then Thelin's future is likely to be taken out of his hands.

United knew their rivals' confidence would have been fragile and were keen to test them from the off.

Zac Sapsford put a great ball across the face but it was just out of the reach of Will Ferry.

The Dons' first chance saw their two wingers combine but Jesper Karlsson headed wide.