That will be in United’s next game, taking place in front of the Setanta cameras at 2 pm on Sunday week.

There was bad news, too, for Arabs and, after that game, fans will have to wait almost an entire month for the next home fixture — a closing day clash with Celtic at 1.30 pm on Sunday, May 18.

In between, fans face a Monday night trip to the other outfit in the race for third, Motherwell, and a Saturday lunchtime trek to champions-elect Rangers at Ibrox.

That leaves just one of their final five games kicking off at 3 pm on a Saturday afternoon, the May 3 New Firm derby against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

While he had great sympathy for the fans, United gaffer Craig Levein was remaining philosophical about the list and the chance to face one of their main rivals at home was a pleasant surprise.

“I thought we’d have Aberdeen as well as Celtic at home, but the one thing I’ve not done is look at where all the others have played already and maybe that was not possible,” he said.

“From our point of view, the different days and kick-off times are something we are all used to and they won’t be a problem, though I can see why fans could be annoyed.

“Given the way we’ve been playing, the fact most of the boys are fit, and we have only Garry Kenneth and Danny Swanson suspended, getting Hibs and Motherwell would seem a good thing.

“The one thing that could affect ourselves and Hibs is that if Motherwell do well in their games in hand — the whole picture could be very different then.”

Away from United’s games, the logic behind some of the scheduling is also hard to fathom.

With Rangers now 99% certain to be crowned champions, a home game for them on the final day seemed likely. Instead, they have been sent to Aberdeen for what is always potentially one of the most volatile fixtures on the card. And, with Celtic at Tannadice the same day, that means both halves of the Old Firm support will be travelling the same route.

Back at Tannadice, French kid Joel Thomas (20) has impressed during a trial and is likely to be invited back for pre-season training. He has experience with Bordeaux and Kaiserslautern.

That his name is on the shortlist does not surprise the man who has watched him most closely over the past two seasons.

And while he stopped short of saying he’d be good enough one day for a Manchester United or Chelsea, his club boss did not rule out such heights.

“Kevin is 19 and still has to develop as a player and physically, so it’s hard to say how far he will go,” said Alex.

“The next couple of years are going to be important to him, but one thing clear already is that, in terms of technique, he has the quality to go all the way.

“Add to that his size and the fact he’ll fill out a bit soon and you are going to have a strong midfield player.”

Further encouragement for Alex has come in the way McDonald has shown a willingness to learn.

“In the 20 months or so we’ve worked with him, he has listened to what he’s been told and worked on areas where he could improve his game. I think he’s come on a lot in that time and I believe that will continue.”

While a stream of scouts from the Old Firm and English Premiership monitor the Carnoustie kid’s progress, his gaffer is hopeful that development will be taking place at Dens next term.

“I can’t say what’s going to happen, but I hope he’ll be here next season and that would be a good thing for him. First team football is the best thing for him and, if he was sitting on the bench at a big club, it would not match the experience he would gain here.”