Lack of quality surprises Dundee United's Mixu Paatelainen

Mixu Paatelainen admits he was surprised by a lack of quality from his players as Dundee United lost his first match as manager 1-0 to Hearts.

Paatelainen saw his team beaten by Juanma Delgado's first-half penalty, as Dundee United remain four points adrift at the foot of the Scottish Premiership.

Although Paatelainen had no problem with the desire he saw from the squad he has inherited, he admitted his team lacked an edge and is intent on make changes as he looks to stamp his mark in the weeks ahead.

"The players showed plenty of appetite to fight and do well, win battles and second balls," Paatelainen said.

"To my surprise what let us down was quality. We rushed with our passes and I felt we didn't make the right passes when we were in Hearts' half.

"We didn't create anywhere as much as we should have. We need to work at these things but it's very early doors. The quality is there, no question.

"But to realise what we need to do, who does what, and where we pass the ball, and what hurts opponents, that's what we have to do and make sure we do it in the match.

"I believe in giving players options on the training ground: where to pass it. Number one option, if that's not on, second, third. We will work on these things and hopefully be better in the future.

"The boys are determined, they are not down. Hearts are a good team and are riding high in the league.

"The way the game finished, we were all over them. Hearts were on their knees. That's where you need that quality to punish a team."

Paatelainen was unhappy with the decision which ultimately defeated his team and feels no foul was committed when Blair Spittal was ruled to have fouled Sam Nicholson in the penalty area.

"We could have defended the goal situation a bit better, although Spittal's leg is planted on the ground and Nicholson runs against it," Paatelainen added.

"It's not a penalty but the referee made his call as he saw it and so be it."