Dundee United smash unwanted record as challenge for new boss is laid bare

Dundee United have registered their worst EVER opening seven games to a league season.

The Tangerines are rooted to the foot of the Premiership and are the final remaining side of the 42 SPFL clubs yet to pick up three points.

United have registered a couple of draws, on the opening day against Kilmarnock and the recent 0-0 draw with Motherwell under interim head coach Liam Fox.

And the Terrors’ goal difference of -17 makes particularly grim reading following a chastening 9-0 home defeat against Celtic and further hammerings at the hands of Hearts (4-1) and St Mirren (3-0).

United did endure a similarly dismal first seven matches in the 00/01 season, with two draws and five defeats.

However, the goal difference was a comparatively modest -7.

But, with Alex Smith at the helm, that run got much worse. United did not claim their maiden league victory until NOVEMBER 25, by which point they had gone 16 games without a win.

The Terrors will hope to end their current malaise long before it reaches such a perilous position and, under Fox, there certainly have been some — albeit modest — signs of promise.

Courier Sport has gone through the archives to compare the current season to previous campaigns in which United have toiled:

2022/23: P7 W0 D2 L5
2000/01: P7 W0 D2 L5
1997/98: P7 W0 D3 L4
1945/46: P7 W1 D0 L6
1926/27: P7 W1 D0 L6
1912/13: P7 W1 D0 L6
2015/16: P7 W1 D1 L5

Victories for Arbroath and Peterhead last weekend ensured United went into the international break as the last side in the SPFL without a victory, an unwanted distinction claimed by Dunfermline last term.

But United could barely have a more inviting fixture list when they return to action, with three successive games at Tannadice — St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Hibs.

A trip to Ross County follows, before the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Kilmarnock on October 18.

Across the continent

United find themselves in esteemed company when casting an eye over the remaining winless clubs in Europe’s top 10 leagues (as per UEFA coefficients).

Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester, champions of England as recently as 2015/16, are the only team south of the border yet to pick up a maiden triumph.

Sampdoria are in the same boat in Serie A, along with Jack Hendry’s Cremonese.

Elche are yet to taste victory in La Liga, as are Bochum in the Bundesliga, and Maritimo and Pacos de Ferreira in Portugal.

Every single team in the top-flights of France, the Netherlands, Austria and Russia have won at least a single league game to date.