Dundee United players must show resolve under Mixu Paatelainen, says Neil McCann

Sky Sports pundit Neil McCann says Dundee United players must rediscover some mental strength to help Mixu Paatelainen get off to a bright start.

Paatelainen was appointed United manager this week following the recent departure of Jackie McNamara after a number of poor results.

McNamara's 33-month tenure ended in September with successive defeats to 10-man St Johnstone and bottom-of-the- table Partick Thistle.

The latter loss saw United drop to the foot of the league, and Paatelainen now has the task of trying to instil confidence in a squad which has only tasted victory once in the Scottish Premiership this campaign.

Read on as McCann, part of Sky Sports' team at Tannadice on Sunday, gives his thoughts........

To start with, the new man has to get some steel and resolve into a side which has won only one league game this season.

Failure to hold onto a one-goal lead against 10-man St Johnstone was followed up by a weak showing in a 3-0 defeat to then bottom club Partick Thistle, this was evidence of a side lacking in both of those qualities.

Jackie McNamara was a fierce competitor and this would have pained him, Paatelainen has the job now to change it.

I'm in no doubt that this Dundee United side have talent with lots of potential. I'm also in no doubt that once they find some confidence in the final third of the pitch, they will start scoring goals.

It's in defence that I worry most for them. They've conceded the joint most goals in the Scottish Premiership with Kilmarnock, 20.

Firstly, make them hard to beat. There's a softness to Dundee United at the minute and with so many youngsters in the team there's a vulnerability in their game when things are not going for them.

In those times when they are coming under pressure, especially when not in possession, they must find the strength of character and grit to pull together and get through without conceding.

Clean sheets mean you stand a better chance of winning games, United have one, their only victory in the league.

They have been used to playing football throughout the pitch under Jackie McNamara but under Mixu I expect them to be different, more direct with less risk from the back.

He will want to put his own stamp on the Terrors but how they will adjust to a new style remains to be seen.

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I believe there is a good team at Tannadice, Paatelainen just has to find a way of getting it to cut out the mistakes, gain confidence and start winning games again. One thing is for sure, Hearts on Sunday will be a tough start.

See Mixu Paatelainen's first match live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 12 noon on Sunday, as Dundee United play Hearts at Tannadice