“That’s interesting to hear, but it isn’t right because we have not made any moves for Andy Webster,” said Craig.

“He is someone I know very well from our time together at Hearts and what has happened is that, back in January, Wattie Smith and I had a long chat about his situation, but we were not discussing a move.”

While Craig would not discuss the details of what was said, it’s a safe bet under discussion was how to kick-start the career of a man who developed into one of the country’s best centre-halves during his five years at Hearts.

Since leaving there, Webster’s had an unhappy spell at Wigan and spent most of the last two-and-a-half years at Ibrox on the injury list.

He is still under contract, but Rangers would be happy for him to move on and, if they wanted to do that via a loan, there is no question United would at least consider it.

This is not the first time the former Arbroath kid has been linked with a move to Tannadice.

When he was on the books at Gayfield, he looked set for a switch to United in a five-figure deal put together by then boss Alex Smith.

At the 11th hour, however, he was grabbed by Hearts — then managed by Craig — and during his time at Tynecastle went on to establish himself as a Scotland player, picking up 22 caps.

The move to Wigan followed in 2006, but, after failing to settle in England, he returned to Scotland with Rangers two-and-a-half years ago.

Since then, injury has seen him manage only a handful of games and his troubles off the park were compounded by a protracted legal wrangle that eventually saw him ordered to pay Hearts £150,000 because of the circumstances of his move to Wigan.

He’d gone to England via an international ruling that allowed him to escape from a four-year contract when it still had a year to run, but, after the Tynecastle club contested that, they were eventually given compensation.

Still only 27, finding a way of resurrecting his career would spell good news for United and Scotland.

This is Deuchar’s second spell with Saints, having previously been on loan at the Perth club during season 2007-08 when he netted 10 times in 14 appearances.

Saints boss Derek McInnes commented, “I’m delighted to get Kenny back. He made a huge impression at the club first time round and, hopefully, he will do so again.

“He has the hunger to succeed in the SPL. We have players deemed not good enough at previous clubs or who are making their way in the game. We all have a point to prove next season and Kenny is no different.”