Dundee United suffered a 1-0 defeat against Port Vale in a bounce game at La Cala resort in Marbella.
Tommy McDermott notched the only goal of the game, slotting into an empty net following some fine work by Ben Garrity.
Declan Glass had the ball in the net in the second period but saw his effort disallowed, while former Aberdeen midfielder Funso Ojo rattled the post for the League One side.
Things Dundee United could have done without, #1: Dylan Levitt limps away after a first-half injury pic.twitter.com/d0rYjZ0dkw
— Alan Temple (@alanftemple) July 13, 2022
Ilmari Niskanen also clipped the bar with a late drive.
More concerning than the result, was Dylan Levitt limping off after suffering an injury on the cusp of half-time.
Courier Sport was in Spain to analyse the talking points from the behind closed doors clash.
The last thing United needed from a relatively low-key friendly was an injury concern, so the sight of Dylan Levitt crumpling to the turf on the cusp of half-time was an unwelcome one.
The Wales international was the victim of an ugly foul from McDermott and had to be helped from the field by medical staff.
Levitt was limping heavily as the Tangerines departed the La Cala resort to return to their Marbella base, with further assessments to be made.
And Jack Ross will be praying for good news ahead of upcoming friendlies against Sunderland (Saturday), Fleetwood Town (July 23) and the Premiership big kick-off on July 31.
Debutants in action
Steven Fletcher and Craig Sibbald made their first appearances in Dundee United colours following their recent arrivals.
Fletcher found himself starved of service prior to being replaced by Tony Watt amid the usual swathe of substitutions.
However, it provided a glimpse into United’s potential set-up under Ross this term, with the former Scotland and Hibernian attacker leading the line and linking up with the wingers, Logan Chalmers and Ilmari Niskanen.
Even in defeat, a few of the Terrors’ young guns impressed.
Shattered Glass
Flynn Duffy was excellent at left-back, belying the suffocating heat to patrol the flank and whip in a couple of dangerous deliveries.
Similarly, Archie Meekison and Declan Glass were bright after entering the fray at the interval.
Glass can count himself unfortunate not to have levelled, rippling the net with a clinical header following a super Meekison cross.
However, the offside flag denied the playmaker, who is seeking to impress after spending the second half of last season on loan at Kilmarnock.
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