Although normally the game would go ahead after its original date, congestion means the SPL felt the need to bring it forward to Wednesday, March 12, and disrupt United’s final preparations.

While that has not pleased manager Craig Levein, he has stopped short of aiming a blast at the top-flight fixture schedulers.

“We are disappointed, obviously, and it is unusual for a postponed match to be arranged for a date before it was originally meant to go ahead,” he said.

“It will disrupt our final preparations and I would have preferred a whole week to build up to Hampden to get the players prepared and enjoy it.

“I do have to say, though, that I have a degree of sympathy with the SPL. Celtic and Rangers both have cup-ties coming up and, if they have to go to replays, the league would be up the creek without a paddle in terms of dates.”

To cope with the unexpected game, Craig has already decided he will utilise all his playing resources.

“The players who have been out long-term should all be back by then and it is going to be a case of using the squad to cover both games and make sure we have our strongest team available for the final,” he confirmed.

Tomorrow, United face bogey team Gretna and, although the bottom side have beaten them twice already this term, a bigger worry is the state of their rented Fir Park pitch.

“If we had beaten Gretna twice it would have no bearing on our preparations for this game and the fact we’ve lost to them does not change them either. This is a fresh challenge and a chance to take three points,” said Craig.

“I am a bit concerned that the weather forecast through there is for heavy rain overnight, because I know it might not take much to put the game off and the one thing I don’t want is another re-arranged game.”

Minor knocks picked up against St Mirren on Wednesday mean Lee Wilkie and Mark Kerr will face fitness checks.

There will be a Fir Park pitch inspection at 9 am tomorrow.