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<\/p>\nDundee United concluded their pre-season preparations with a competitive 3-2 defeat to Sky Bet League Two side Salford City at the AIG Stadium.<\/p>\n
Jim Goodwin’s side trailed by two goals at the interval before an improved second-half display saw Idjesse Metsoko and Jamie Forrest find the net as the Terrors completed their final outing before Friday evening\u2019s William Hill Premiership curtain raiser.<\/p>\n
The manager handed starts to several players expected to feature prominently during the upcoming campaign, with Jack Walton continuing in goal behind a defence marshalled by Michael Forbes and Iurie Iovu.<\/p>\n
The hosts made a lively start and created a handful of early opportunities before taking the lead after ten minutes through Langstaff, who finished confidently to give Salford the advantage.<\/p>\n
United responded positively and almost drew level shortly afterward when Zac Sapsford tested the home goalkeeper, while Walton was called into action at the opposite end with a pair of smart saves, the second tipping a well-struck free-kick behind for a corner.<\/p>\n
Jesse Randall was denied what appeared to be a clear free-kick after being brought down on the right-hand side before tempers briefly flared ten minutes before the interval, with captain Dylan Tait shown a yellow card following a coming together between the two sides.<\/p>\n
The Ammies doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Owolu rose highest to head home from a corner, giving the hosts a two-goal cushion at the break.<\/p>\n
Goodwin changed his entire outfield at half-time, and the fresh line-up immediately injected new energy into United’s performance.<\/p>\n
Lorenzo Sassetti twice threatened during an encouraging opening spell to the second half, first forcing a save at the near post before winning a corner moments later. Ross Graham then came within inches of reducing the deficit, only to see his header cleared off the goal line.<\/p>\n
United’s pressure was rewarded on 55 minutes when Idjesse Metsoko collected possession on the edge of the penalty area following great work from Dario Naamo before firing an excellent finish beyond the Salford goalkeeper Norris to halve the deficit.<\/p>\n
Despite enjoying a positive spell, United fell further behind seven minutes from time as Salford restored their two-goal advantage through 17-year-old substitute Austerfield.<\/p>\n
The Terrors responded once more in the closing stages. Charlie Dewar produced an excellent driving run on the right flank before picking out fellow substitute Jamie Forrest, who calmly applied the finish to reduce the deficit and round off an encouraging attacking move.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Salford City 3\u00a0(Langstaff 10\u2019, Oluwo 45\u2019, Austerfield 84\u2019)<\/p>\n
Dundee United 2 (Metsoko 65\u2019, Forrest 89\u2019)<\/p>\n
3pm Saturday 25 July 2026<\/p>\n
The AIG Stadium<\/p>\n
Pre Season Friendly<\/p>\n
Teamlines
\nSALFORD CITY<\/p>\n
Starting XI: Norris, Carson, Aimson, Oluwo (c), Turton, Butcher, Powell, Nmai, Cesay, Odoh, Langstaff
\u00a0
Subs: Long, Awe, Grant, Cooper, Austerfield, Graydon, Udoh, Malcolm, Padovani, Butt, Heys, Bairstow, Longelo<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
DUNDEE UNITED<\/p>\n
Starting XI: Walton, Iovu, \u0160evelj, Sapsford, Tait (c), Ferry, Agyei, Rose, Forbes, Randall, Rawlins
\u00a0
Subs: Amissah, Esselink, Graham, Merghem, Camara, Eskesen, Naamo, Dewar, Gilligan, Leiper, Forrest, Sassetti, Metsoko<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Next Up<\/p>\n
Although the contest ended in defeat, the afternoon provided another valuable run-out ahead of the competitive action beginning next weekend, turning full attention to the visit of Rangers for the opening weekend of the William Hill Premiership.<\/p>\n