Stand-in keeper Steve Banks is confident St Johnstone can avenge the disappointing defeat they suffered last time they visited Tannadice.
Saints had a night to forget in August as Banks, in the absence of injured regular number one Mannus, picked the ball out of the net four times.
With Mannus again missing, due to suspension this time around, 41-year-old Banks will once more be called upon.
“I think United had a lot of luck that day with deflections and bits and pieces but I’ll be going back to one of my old clubs there’s been a few of them and hopefully we can get a better result this time,” he said.
“It’s three or four months since I’ve played, and hopefully I don’t make too much of a difference in terms of the standard of goalkeeping.
“People make a big deal about it because I don’t play very often and because of my age, but I just want to go in there, do a job and keep it warm for when Alan comes back in.
“That’s what I’m there for. And I’m at the age now that I can accept the position that I hold,” he said.
“I think Steve Simonsen down at Rangers is similar he’s 35. Paul Gallacher is 34 and doing it at Partick,” he added.
“The thing is, since I’ve been here, I’ve never missed a day’s training. I keep myself fit and, hopefully, my levels as a goalkeeper are the same as when I came here.”
Banks has struck the balance between playing and coaching well, something borne out by three clean sheets in the four games he has featured in this term.
He might now be in the twilight of his playing career, but Banks insists he is probably better now than he was at Hearts five years ago.