Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen wants to play it fair

Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen insists he is being fair with players like Jordan Moore when he tells them they should move on.

Having informed striker Moore that he won’t be getting his contract renewed at the end of the season, Paatelainen will continue that process by informing others that they don’t have a future at Tannadice.

It is not a nice part of the job but the Finn emphasised that it could turn out the best for player and club.

“You want to be up front with people,” said Paatelainen.

“The last thing I want to do is frustrate players and keep them here until the end of their contracts if I know it will be difficult for them to break into the starting 11.

“It is viewed as me being the nasty guy but I see it the other way around because I don’t think players want to hang around where they won’t be getting games.

“I feel that the club should have a first-team squad of roughly 26, although it could be bigger or smaller depending on the circumstances.”