Hunt Was Difference In 1-0 Defeat

Craig Levein thinks that Noel Hunt was the difference between Dundee United & Hearts at the weekend.

A 55th minute penalty from Paul Hartley gave Hearts a 1-0 win, the first defeat Craig Levein's side have suffered since his arrival at the start of November.

Noel Hunt would have been a certainty to start against Hearts, but an ankle injury he picked up when scoring United`s winner in the 3-2 game at Fir Park the week before has sidelined the forward for several weeks.

Hunt will now missed most of the festive period, including the Boxing Day trip to Parkhead and the visit of Aberdeen at the end of the month.
"I am not looking at the game wondering how we never got something from it, I know the reason for that," said Levein.

"We lacked a little upfront today, but it is not a surprise to me that we missed our striker."

"I think that`s a little understandable given that David Goodwillie was coming in to try and fill the boots of Noel Hunt who`s been firing on all cylinders lately."

Although, Levein doesn't blame 17-year-old David Goodwillie for not getting United on the scoresheet.

"I have to be careful of being critical of young David Goodwillie, because he is not ready," said Levein.

"In hindsight, it might have been better playing Samuel through the middle, because the young lad has been asked to do a lot and he is talented, but he is not ready to take that kind of weight on his shoulders."

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