Sales were particularly brisk during the advanced sales period when only voucher holders and fans with season tickets for next term were entitled get their Barca places.

Director Derek Robertson confirmed sales to date were well up on this time last year, but the club will wait until the end of their “Early Bird” discount offer at the beginning of next month before they can make an accurate comparison.

The expected flurry of signings expected over the summer could further boost figures and, while no-one at Tannadice is getting carried away, there has to be a chance the 5000 barrier will be broken for next year.

On the signing front, boss Craig Levein reported some progress with the deals he wants, but again stressed it was likely to be towards the end of the week before any business was concluded. And he will not be counting any chickens until players have put pen to paper.

“Things are coming along and we are getting there. We are a bit further on with the Polish goalkeeper (Lukasz Zaluska), but, because we are not dealing with someone just down the road, it’s taking a bit more time,” he said. “There are other things happening as well, but, until there is something concrete, I do not want to say any more at the moment.”

United are also working on finalising the rest of their pre-season programme and that has been a priority at city neighbours Dundee as well. Already due to meet Millwall at Dens Park on July 14, the Dark Blues have confirmed they will also be hosting Motherwell on Tuesday, July 24.

A week earlier, they will head up the coast to face Montrose and the night after the ’Well clash will send a team to face Stenhousemuir. There will also be a mini-training camp either in the Highlands or the north of England, details of which should be finalised in the next week or two.

Back at Tannadice, midfielder Greg Cameron is to see a specialist who will decide if his hernia can be cleared via an injection similar to the one Morgaro Gomis had last weekend, or through surgery.