For the last three years or so, he has been on the books of big-spending Manchester City, but has decided to come north in search of first-team opportunity.

And, despite his new acquisitions, tender years and the calibre of competition he’ll have, boss Peter Houston is looking for Mentel to challenge his countrymen.

“He was obviously a very highly-rated youngster or he would not have ended up at Manchester City,” said Houstie.

And our goalkeeping coach Stevie Banks has now done a bit of work with him and recommended we take him.

“Obviously, Dusan is our No. 1 and a really quality goalkeeper, but I’ll be looking for Filip to push him hard.

“And don’t forget, Stevie is still a signed player who showed near the end of last season when he came into the team that he can still play at a high level, so he’ll still challenging as well.”

Mentel’s arrival continues a recent run of Eastern European goalies at United, the obvious exception being Englishmen Nicky Weaver, who starred during the first half of last term.

Before him, Poles Gregorz Szamotulski and Lukasz Zaluska starred, and, after him, Pernis caught the eye.

Houstie didn’t attempt to explain why that part of the world is producing so many top-quality keepers — he’s just happy a string of them have been heading for United.

“They’ve all done very well when they’ve come here and, if Filip proves to be anything like as good, we will be more than happy,” he said.

And, having only trained a couple of times a week with the amateur outfit, United were conscious of the need to ease him into their ways when the players came back from their summer break last week.

That saw the left-back rested from the double session yesterday, but, otherwise, he’s come through with flying colours.

“He was feeling his groin a wee bit yesterday, so it was wise to let him work on his own, but I’d already told him I was going to take him out of the full training,” said Houstie.

“That was purely down to the fact he’ll need time to adjust to full-time training, but maybe not as much as I thought because, so far, he’s been doing great.”

Douglas has also impressed when the ball’s been out and will be involved when a strong squad heads for the Oban tournament on Saturday.

The event on the west coast might even see him tried out in a new position.

“He’s a good footballer and, while I’ve signed him as a left-back, I might take this chance to move him one forward on the left and see how he does,” added Houstie.

Meanwhile, defender Mihael Kovacevic will be allowed to return home to Switzerland for a break while he awaits surgery on his damaged knee ligaments.

The right-back has already had minor surgery following his tearing a cruciate and will undergo a major op. later this month.

That will keep him out for up to seven months, but, before he can have the surgery, he has to let the joint settle down.

And while they are away in Austria, United have decided to give the Swiss U/21 international some home time.

All three played in yesterday’s closed-door draw at Hibs, as did another five players who are looking to earn contracts with the Dark Blues.

Among them was the former St Johnstone full-back Gary Irvine, but the manager has now drawn the line when it comes to naming the unsigned men he’s looking at.

“I did have eight involved at some stage yesterday and there will be more coming and going, but, unless I actually sign people, I’m not going to be giving their names,” he said.

“Some of them, probably most of them, will come out, but I’ve said to the boys their time here is between the club and them.

“A few of them will be offered contracts, but most probably won’t and I don’t think it’s fair to them to be linked with us and then branded a failure if they don’t sign.”

And, while Chis was happy with most of what he saw in the 2-2 tie with the Hibees, he will not be rushing in offering any deals.

“I want to look at people over a period of time and, with another couple of games coming up in the next few days, I can do that.

“Yesterday, I started with a back four that included only one player I’d seen in my team before — and it was the same in midfield.”

It wasn’t just trialists the gaffer was getting his first look at — he’d also never seen striker Mickael Antoine-Curier as a Dundee player.

“It was good to see him. I felt we were slack at the start of the game, but the boys tightened things up and, overall, it was a good performance.

“Big Curier was part of that and it was good to get a look at what he can do.”

It came as no surprise to him that Gary Harkins was among the goals straight away — he got both.

“He’s one who just loves playing and working with the ball.

“He’ll get plenty more of it now because that’s most of the really hard work done in training and we are now concentrating on ball work and tactical stuff.”

Meanwhile, there could be developments over the next few weeks in Dundee’s hunt for a new chairman.

The clubs have been playing their cards close to their chest since advertising the post in the wake of Bob Brannan’s decision to step down once a successor can be found.

Via a firm of head-hunters for such posts, however, interest has been expressed from a number of parties, including one Dark Blues-supporting businessman who is now based in England.

Credentials are currently being check and, while the club will not be tied down to any timescale, there is a chance more detailed talks about the role could take place in the next 10 days or so.

One of them may sign for the club today and become their fourth summer capture.

He’s striker Sam Parkin, a former Scotland Future player, who has been released by Walsall and whose past clubs include Chelsea.

Saints have already signed Jamie Adams, Scott Dobie and Cleveland Taylor.