Arbroath0–4Dundee Utd

United lifted the curtain on the 2023-24 SPFL Championship campaign with an uncompromising Friday night victory at Arbroath. Indeed, United did not disappoint in front of its captive TV audience and more than 3,000 travelling Arabs, setting down a marker as title contenders with four goals before the half-time whistle.

On the back of news that defender Charlie Mulgrew had left the club, recent signing Declan Gallagher turned out for what would be his first competitive appearance in a United shirt. There were league debuts too for Jack Walton, Liam Grimshaw, Ross Docherty and Louis Moult.

Playing their first league match since relegation from the top tier, United wasted no time in getting off the mark, David Gaston denying Louis Moult after the striker controlled a Glenn Middleton cross and fired at goal from the edge of the six yard box.

United had bombarded the home goal from the get-go, and they got their reward on 11 minutes when Moult pounced on a Joao Balde error on the counter-attack, laying the ball off to Middleton for a cool finish into the far corner.

Arbroath weren't without their chances during a frenetic first half though, and familiar face Ryan Dow came close to foxing Walton with a first time shot from 18 yards that the United stopper had to shift into position to gather.

It was 2–0 though on 25 minutes when Moult, again the creator, fed the ball to Matthew Cudjoe who finished with a clever left-foot chip over Gaston – his first goal for the club.

The onslaught continued as Craig Sibbald rattled the crossbar moments later with a curled effort. But the midfielder was not to denied for United's third, slotting home after running on to a flick on from Moult.

A tremendous first half was completed when Moult – already credited with a hat-trick of assists, bagged a goal of his own. Watt and Cudjoe combined on the left wing to feed the ball in to the striker, and he made no mistake with a finish from acute angle.

With the hard work done, there were no further goals in the second half, but United remained in firm control.

Among United's most notable chances was a strike from Scott McMann, who hit the upright from 20 yards after racing forward to connect with a layoff from Sibbald.

Moult could have added to his tally were it not for a block inside the six yard box after Tony Watt had played the ball back to the striker.

Substitute Declan Glass had his head in his hands late on after great work from Ross Docherty to win the ball and cut the ball back with the goal gaping, but the midfielder fired wide of the post.

The last action of the game fell to Arbroath's Ricky Little who called Walton in to action with a powered header at the far post from a corner. United were not about to surrender the clean sheet though, and deservedly ran out winners.