“You never want to lose a derby and, if you do, you feel like it’s a disaster,” said Robson. “We were sick and I know the fans were, but maybe what a lot of people didn’t realise is that, because it was a friendly, we had not been easing up in training and had been through a week of mainly double sessions. Maybe that showed in the legs in the second half, but that’s not an excuse.

“This week, the workload has been lighter because we are preparing for a league game, and I know that, from the start of the pre-season, we have been working in the right way. We will be ready for this, because that is what it is all about.”

Having spent most of his three seasons at Tannadice struggling at the wrong end of the table, Robson realises the importance of getting the campaign off to a good start.

Although a home game against the Bairns appears the perfect opportunity for that, he dismisses talk of an easy first game.

“Everyone is desperate to get off to a good start. That means whether it’s Falkirk or the Old Firm it’ll be tough.”

Impressed as he’s been by new signings like Noel Hunt, Craig Conway and Steven Robb, Barry knows there’s a need for more depth to United’s squad.

“We need more players and that’s something the manager is working on.”

United’s efforts to strengthen have hit another hitch with the news Christian Kalvenes’ club Brann Bergen want a sizeable fee for his services. He won’t be fixed up in time for tomorrow, and, if anything happens, it will be next week, while ICT remain determined to hang on to Darren Dods, Ian Black and David Proctor.

The Scotland-Spain European U/19 final, with Scotland featuring United’s Greg Cameron and Garry Kenneth, is live on BBC2 tomorrow (6.50).

Predictions — Celtic v. Killie — HOME, United v. Falkirk — HOME, Dunfermline v. Hearts — AWAY, Hibs v. Aberdeen — HOME, ICT v. St Mirren — HOME, Motherwell v. Rangers — AWAY.