Dunfermline boss Allan Johnston has called on his players to seize the chance of securing a notable Dundee double.
The Pars will travel up to the City of Discovery this evening to face Jackie McNamara’s United side in the League Cup.
Johnston’s League One outfit warmed up for the tie by thrashing Stenhousemuir 5-0 on Saturday but will start as underdogs against the Premiership Tangerines.
However, Johnston believes if his players can reproduce the same level of performance they showed when they memorably beat Paul Hartley’s Dundee at East End Park in the previous round, then they are more than capable of causing another big upset.
He said: “United are a top quality team.
“Obviously before Saturday, they had a few disappointing results but by all accounts against the likes of Kilmarnock, they had loads of chances and probably should have won.
“So we are under no illusions just how hard the game is going to be, especially up there.
“However, we took a lot of confidence from the Dundee game and the way we played against them.
“We will need another performance like that where everybody plays at 100% to get a result.
“I am sure teams are aware of our potential but Jackie will be focusing on what they can do.
“They have strengthened their squad really well bringing in boys like Billy Mckay, a top quality goal scorer, who netted again on Saturday against Inverness.
“So we are going to have to defend well, first and foremost but with the players we have going forward, I am sure we can cause them problems as well.”
Dunfermline will be without long-term injury victims Ryan Williamson and Callum Fordyce while Shaun Rooney is a doubt after having to come off in the first half against Stenhousemuir with an ankle knock.