Freedom is at a price for Dundee United’s Scott Fraser

Midfielder Scott Fraser’s loving the freedom new Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon is giving him to express himself on the ball.

But the 21-year-old knows there’s a price to be paid and it’s coming in the shape of being asked to work harder than he’s ever had to.

Fraser was orchestrator-in-chief of the 5-0 Forfarshire Cup win up at Brechin City on Saturday.

He scored one exceptional goal with a curling 20-yard shot and set up Justin Johnson with a sublime pass for United’s opener at Glebe Park.

The attacker was a major threat throughout as he continuously got on the ball deep in the opposition half.

But Fraser knows under McKinnon such things are only part of his job for the team. If he doesn’t do the less glamorous side of the game, he’ll quickly become a spectator.

As he showed last season when he was handed various roles, first by Jackie McNamara and then Mixu Paatelainen, his first priority is simply to play.

He does admit, however, the advanced central midfield job his new boss has handed him is the one in which he feels most comfortable.

It’s where he made his name at youth level and was where he excelled during a long loan spell at Airdrie two seasons ago.

“I like playing there and it’s where I feel I’m most at home,” he admitted.

“The gaffer’s put me there and he’s given me freedom to get on the ball and try things. It’s something I enjoy.

“But he also is very clear about what he expects from me when we don’t have the ball and that means I’ve a lot of work to do defensively.

“He makes it clear if I’m not doing it, I won’t be getting a game.”

That’s why, while he admits the weeks since his return from the summer holidays have been the toughest of his career physically, he’s not complaining.

“This has easily been the hardest pre-season I’ve had. We’ve done a lot of work and at times it’s been tiring.

“Crazy as it sounds — because no player really likes pre-season — I have enjoyed it. It has been hard but the work we’ve been doing has been good.

“The manager is clear about how he wants us to play and we all know exactly what our jobs are on the park.

“It means we have to be very fit and we are. That’s got to serve us well for this season.”

And while the work this summer has been done at United’s St Andrews training base and not during a trip to Holland, Germany or Spain, as has been the case in recent years, Fraser has been enjoying it.

He also believes a more sensible programme of build-up games will ensure United can start the competitive campaign well.

“Last year we were in Holland and I did enjoy it. But our games were against some really tough teams and we did struggle a bit.

“This year we’ve had games where we’ve had most of the ball and that’s allowed us to work on what want to do.

“Like I say, it’s still been hard work, harder than anything I’ve had before. It means we’ll be ready for Arbroath in the League Cup on Friday.”

And when the real ball comes out, Fraser is keen to continue hitting the back of the net.

“As a midfielder, I’m always happy when I help set up goals, so I was pleased with my pass for Justin to score at Brechin.

“When I look at last season, I don’t feel I scored as often as I should have, so this season I am definitely looking to do better and get a few goals.”