“I think over the last four or five games there is no question our performances have shown a big improvement, but we have not been winning and, because of that, we are in danger of being labelled an unlucky team,” he said.

“That is something we do not want and I am sure the fans are as fed up with hearing that as we are as players.

“What we are determined to do is keep playing the way we have been and make sure we get the results we are capable of. I hope everyone out there knows we are all together and focused on doing that.”

And McInnes does not feel it requires a genius to work out where United have been going wrong in recent games. Bad goals may have been lost, but he believes problems at the other end are why the win column has not been troubled more often this term.

“We have had good spells in the last few games when we have been on top for long periods. When that happens you have to capitalise on your pressure by scoring.

“Against Dundee on Saturday, we dominated the first half, but we did not put our chances away. That has cost us right at the end when it looked like we were going to get what would have been a very good point after being down to nine men.

“You find that’s why teams are down at the bottom. But we are creating chances and, if we can start taking them, things can turn around quickly.

“If we make better choices in the final third and keep putting crosses into the box, it will come.

“And, because of some of our football in the last few games, I have a good feeling going into this game.

“We believe we can get to the semi-final and, if we do, it will give everyone a big lift.

“I don’t want to look beyond this game, but we have a massive one against Livingston at Tannadice on Saturday and, if we can a win against Hibs, it would be a huge boost going into that.”

Weekend red card recipients Mark Wilson and Chris Innes are available tonight, but midfielder Karim Kerkar is cup-tied, having already appeared for Clyde in this season’s competition.

His place could go to Billy Dodds, who did not even make the bench on Saturday, while the search for goals could see James Grady or Jim McIntyre added to the attack.

“I have to make a change because Karim can’t play. The fact our nine men had to put in such a hard shift in the derby is also a concern, but the team is playing good football, so I do not want to make many changes,” said boss Ian McCall.

There remains a glimmer of hope that Wilson could still be available for the weekend, after television evidence showed he did not handle the ball against Dundee. There is no right of appeal, but it is understood match referee Alan Freeland would be willing to rescind the card and automatic one-match ban if the SFA were in agreement.

Meanwhile, with Hibs refusing a request from United for cut-price entry tonight, admission will be £20 for adults and £11 for concessions in the top tiers of the stands and £18 and £9 in the lower tiers. The Shed will not be open.

Home supporters will be handed a £5 voucher towards entry to the Livingston game on Saturday.