Tannadice teenagers Ryan Gauld and John Souttar have caught the attention of English Premiership side Sunderland.
The Black Cats took in Dundee United’s under-20 match against Partick Thistle on Tuesday.
Their focus was on 17-year-old Gauld and 16-year-old Souttar and it was not the first time they had watched the duo.
Playmaker Gauld featured for over an hour in United’s 3-0 win at Firhill before being substituted, while central defender Souttar lasted the full 90 minutes.
Courier Sport understands that the reports back to Sunderland boss Paulo Di Canio will recommend that he pursue the Tangerines’ pair as long-term investments.
However, United will be relaxed about the interest being shown in Gauld and Souttar as both are contracted to the club until January 2016 and would command considerable fees to prise them away.
Meanwhile, defender Calum Butcher knows all about today’s Scottish Premiership opponents St Johnstone because he became a Saints supporter for one night.
The Englishman went along with fellow United summer signing Kudus Oyenuga to see the Perth team play FC Minsk at McDiarmid Park in the Europa League earlier this month.
While there was heartache in the end for the Perth men as they crashed out on penalties to the Belarussian club, Butcher saw enough from the second-placed side to know the Tangerines will be tested to the limit when they meet at Tannadice.
“St Johnstone have been doing really well and I went to see their last European game and they were unlucky that night,” said the former Tottenham youth player.
“Kudus (Oyenuga) was on loan there a while ago so knew a few of the lads at St Johnstone,” he said.
“She went along to support Stevie May and the other lads and I decided to tag along too. They played really well, were organised and looked like a right good side.
“I was particularly impressed with Stevie up front. He is still young but has played a few games for St Johnstone.
“It is not a surprise that there has been interest in him from England. Clubs will be trying to poach him when they can.
“As well as being decent going forward, St Johnstone also looked solid at the back and their keeper (Alan Mannus) looked good so they will miss him.”
While being complimentary about today’s visitors, Butcher is determined that it will be United who come out on top in what is, on paper, an intriguing contest.
The Tangerines have yet to record a victory this season, managing only two away draws at Partick Thistle and Hibernian respectively.
They were particularly disappointing in their previous home game against Inverness Caley Thistle, with the 1-0 scoreline the least ICT deserved that day.
However, Butcher argued: “Compared to the Inverness game, we were 10 times better against Hibs last week.
“We have started to really plant the seed for what we want to achieve this season. We just need the first victory and it will come.
“It would settle us down a bit but I am confident we will get it sooner rather than later. We believe in ourselves and we just need to make it happen this weekend.
“You have to have self-belief but we also believe and trust in each other. Also, the fans have to be patient and get behind us because we are a young team.
“Sometimes you need a bit of support to push you on. I think we will get that against St Johnstone and give the fans the result they want.”
On a personal note, Butcher seems comfortable with his new surroundings after moving with pal Oyenuga from Hayes and Yeading in the summer.
“I feel really settled and happy here,” he said.
“Outside of football things are going well for me, too, so that helps you on the park. I think I have started the season well.
“I enjoy the physical challenge of Scottish football. Obviously I just want us to get that first win out of the way. I will feel better after that.”
United will be without Butcher’s fellow defender today because of the red card he picked up against the Hibees for a challenge on Kevin Thomson.
Butcher felt his Irish colleague had been hard done by.
“I watched it back and Gav seemed unlucky,” he said. I don’t think it deserved a sending-off.
“He just went up for the header and there has been a follow-through in the challenge as he has tried to clear the ball.”
United manager Jackie McNamara will include newly-signed old boy Mark Wilson in his squad but the defender needs match time and that makes him an unlikely starter.