Thanks to a strict vetting system, though, the vast majority have been turned away and that has led to some angry scenes, with one instance, on Monday, seeing the police having to attend.

While they were on the scene in minutes, United’s own security staff had already restored order.

There has been a string of other incidents where staff have been verbally abused for refusing sales to fans who quite clearly had no allegiance to the home team.

And Tannadice director Derek Robertson has paid tribute to the ticket office team for the way they’ve been handling another difficult end to the season — they were in a similar position when Celtic won the league there last season.

“The ticketing and shop staff have been absolutely superb. Despite being under severe pressure and often being subject to abuse, both over the phone and in person in the shop, due to the strict verification procedures for ticket sales for this match, they've coped very well with good humour and patience,” he said.

“The police had to be called in only once and, even then, our security people had the matter well in hand. We’re a small business in most respects and we’re very lucky to have such good staff.”

Derek himself got a taste of what club employees are having to put up with when he manned the phones in a bid to help cope with demand.

“It was amazing to hear from so many life-long United fans, who didn’t appear on any of our numerous databases or who couldn’t answer the most basic of questions about the club.

“There will undoubtedly have been some genuine United fans, who, for some reason or another, couldn’t satisfy any of the database criteria, but most seemed to accept the situation.

“This does, however, again demonstrate how important it can be to make sure they’re on a database — if not a season ticket holder, then by joining ArabTRUST or ArabZONE or subscribing to the free weekly e-newsletter.”

Today, only a small number of single-seat tickets for the United end remained, and they must be purchased in person at the ticket office.

The more the manager analyses the Tynecastle display, the more he feels he should have made more alterations for that game.

“This week is not the week I need to think about changes because players lack freshness — last week was the time for it,” he said.

“In the past, we’ve needed to freshen things a bit after midweek games against the Old Firm and, after being at Celtic, I probably should have done it again.

“The way we approach games, it does not take a big drop in energy levels to make a difference. Just 10% can cost us, but that will not be an issue this week because there is no midweek fixture.”

Young striker Andis Shala went over on an ankle in training yesterday and could be a doubt for the weekend, though early indications are he should make it.

They were Harkins and Clyde’s Pat Clarke, and it is understood it is the Jags who have responded to the five-figure bid for their man.

“I’m not prepared to say who it is, but I am in negotiations with a club about one of them,” said Jocky.

“We’ve made an offer and they’ve come back with a counter proposal. Right now, we are miles apart, but that was to be expected and the main thing is we are still talking and, hopefully, progress can be made.”

The move for Clarke could also take time before being resolved. He was one of the players the Bully Wee asked to accept one month’s wages and have their contracts cancelled in a bid to safeguard the club’s future.

That mess will have to be sorted before he moves anywhere.

Meanwhile, Dundee have corrected a report Chris Pozniak is on trial back in Canada after being told he is free to move on.

“Chris has international duty with Canada coming up and is training back home with one of his old clubs to keep himself fit — he asked my permission and I was more than happy to let him,” explained Jocky.