And one of the 19-year-olds is Nigel Hasselbaink, nephew of former Leeds, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Dutch international striker Jimmy Floyd.

The younger family member can operate in midfield or, as his uncle did, as striker and is on the books of giants PSV Eindhoven, though he had a spell out on loan last season with Go Ahead Eagles.

He’s been recommended by the same people who drew the club’s attention to midfield stalwart Buaben, who was a product of the Ajax youth system in Amsterdam. Also coming on last night was Johnbull Omoregie, another 19-year-old, who has a Nigerian passport, but was previously with Norwich City. He’s been training with United for a couple of weeks, while Hasselbaink has only just arrived.

Given their age, gaffer Peter Houston stressed that in looking at them he was thinking in terms of the future.

“They are both young, but they’ve been recommended and I decided to have a look at them,” said Houstie.

“I’ll use them at Livingston tonight and that will give me a longer look and I can take things from there. Nigel comes from the same people that unearthed Prince for us, so you can see why I’ve decided to bring him over.”

Edging closer to a permanent deal at Tannadice is Lithuanian centre-half Irmantas Zelmikas, who impressed at Stark’s Park on his third outing as a trialist.

A final decision on the 30-year-old, though, will not now be made until after he’s turned out in Saturday’s friendly against Hull City at the KC Stadium.

“No disrespect to Raith Rovers, but Saturday will give him the kind of stiff test I’m wanting to see,” explained Houstie.

“We will be up against a team that has just dropped out of the Premiership down south and who will have a lot of players wanting to impress their new manager.”

United will head down to England in confident mood after last night’s five-star display that banished the memories of Saturday’s disappointing draw with Glentoran.

“That was night and day from the weekend and I’m not talking about the goals we scored,” continued the manager.

“It was the effort and work rate that pleased me and, even by half-time, I told the players that was the real Dundee United.”

As well as the teenage trialists, tonight’s trip to Almondvale will see the likes of Andis Shala and Francisco Sandaza get run-outs.

Raith boss John McGlynn remained upbeat despite seeing his side crushed 5-0, preferring to look on the bright side.

“It hurts to lose 5-0 and we got a real lesson in finishing tonight,” he said.

“But I don’t think we played too badly and Grant (Murray) and Laurie (Ellis) won’t come up against that level of opposition every week.”

Dundee United’s Open Day goes ahead this Sunday. Doors open at noon and entry is via the George Fox Stand.

As well as the usual stalls and autogragh/photo opportunities with first-team squad, supporters will also be able to get photos taken with the Scottish Cup.

The lucky programme winner will get — if geographically possible — the Scottish Cup at his house to show off to family and friends.