Manager Craig Levein believes that is great news for both club and player, and has praised Gomis for his quick promotion to the top team.

“I signed Morgaro primarily as one for the future, especially given the step up to SPL football,” said Craig.

“However, I always felt he had the qualities to establish himself as a first-team player sooner rather than later and he has adapted very quickly to the demands of the SPL.

“I am delighted to have secured him for a further two years as I am convinced he will continue to develop and improve.”

Gomis himself admitted his progress had been faster than he expected, but, now that he is a regular, plans to keep making an impact.

“When I arrived at United, my only thought was to work hard and impress the manager. I did not expect to play as many games as I did before the end of last season and I was happy to stay in the team when this season began,” he said.

“Now I want to keep playing every week, because that makes me happiest. I was out last Sunday because I was suspended and it will be hard to get my place back, because we have quality here.

“However, I will be trying my best to do that, because things have been going well and this is a good time to be in the Dundee United team. The season is still early, but I hope we can still be high in the league for the rest of it.”

Meanwhile, a string of fringe players were given needed match practice when Dundee United sent out a strong reserve side against Falkirk this afternoon.

Craig has been pleased with the options he’s had from the bench in recent games and used today’s game at Forfar’s Station Park to make sure fitness levels among his first-team subs remain high.

“It is good when you look behind you in the technical area and see players who can make a difference when they come on, like Steven Robb did on Sunday,” he said.

“They need game time, though, and today’s game has fallen nicely for that.”

Among those getting a run-out were Greg Cameron, Mark Kerr, David Goodwillie and Johnny Russell, the 17-year-old striker who has been making good progress at youth and second-string level.

The manager did resist the temptation, though, to experiment at left-back with a view to Saturday’s trip to Fir Park to face Gretna.

It has been confirmed that regular incumbent Christian Kalvenes is facing four weeks out with a torn calf muscle, so either Steven Robb or Stuart Duff are likely to be asked to stand in on that side of the defence.

“That’s something we will work on in training over the next few days and come up with an answer — there was nothing to be served from trying either of them out in the reserve game because I know they can play in the position,” explained Craig.