Motherwell manager Graham Alexander hasn't been surprised by Dundee United's strong start to the Premiership season - and he expects a tricky trip to Tannadice.
Thomas Courts' appointment as Dundee United head coach in the summer split opinion but the Tangerines are currently third in the Premiership ahead of Saturday's meeting with Motherwell.
Alexander's team are sixth after consecutive 2-0 defeats to Hearts and Celtic in the Steelmen's previous matches.
"I don't see why it's been a surprise as they have good players," said Alexander. "They have a good manager and an identity of how they want to play.
"They are a big club. So it's not a massive surprise from my perspective. We have done our analysis this week and they are a good team.
"Dundee United have threats throughout their team and their defensive record is very good - they are hard to break down.
"We approach it in the same way we approach every game. We want to take into account what they do, but we are in a good position ourselves.
"It could be better, but it could also be worse. We will look to try and get the three points."
Alexander brought Sean Goss and Jordan Roberts into his starting XI last week as Motherwell lost to Celtic, with the Fir Park squad as fit as it has been since his January arrival.
The 50-year-old says he's not under pressure to play any of his players - but Goss and Roberts have earned their way into his plans.
"I don't need to play them, even though I brought them in," added Alexander. "I need to play 11 players each week and it could be anyone in the squad.
"That's how I see it. I feel we have good quality throughout the team and squad. We have players with different attributes which will give us value over the course of a season.
"But both of those players played behind closed doors games, so it wasn't their first start. They have worked exceptionally hard to get up to full fitness.
"The players are in a good place and we have to work hard to maintain that."
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