Dons boss Derek McInnes admitted with the benefit of hindsight that he perhaps should have made more changes to his side after their midweek Europa League exertions.

“I take my share of responsibility for the result,” he said. “On reflection, I should maybe have made more changes to the starting line-up.

“We intended to go out with the team we did to get on the front foot and make changes after the hour mark because we anticipated tired legs and tired minds.

“We huffed and puffed, and I think even the chances we lashed at was an indication of a lack of conviction in the final third.”

But McInnes also praised his side's opponents, saying: “It suits United to counter on us, and I think they played with a lot of intelligence after they went in front.”   Manager Jackie McNamara praised his defence after Dundee United overcame a tired Aberdeen side to move top of the Scottish Premiership table.

McNamara said: “It's a good start for us. I don't think many people would have seen that result today coming, and there were a lot of pleasing things.

“We looked defensively solid, and a threat going forward.

“We felt we needed to address the defence after last season. We had a good attacking force with pace and power, but defensively it was a worry, not just from open play but set-pieces as well.”

Three of the back four were making their United debuts, with centre-back pairing Callum Morris and Jaroslaw Fojut particularly impressive.

McNamara added: “They looked solid, and even when they're winning headers they get distance on it as well, which helps get us up the park.”

McNamara added: “They looked solid, and even when they're winning headers they get distance on it as well, which helps get us up the park.”