Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before the derby meeting with Dundee on Sunday.

On being the club's longest-serving manager since legendary boss Jim McLean, Goodwin says he is "delighted" to have been at Tannadice for three years and notes such longevity in the modern game is "unusual", adding he has "loved every minute of it".

Goodwin admits this season has been a "disappointment in terms of not being able to get into the top six", but says it's important to enjoy the good times and stick together in the more difficult periods and that the club have made progress on and off the pitch during his tenure.

The manager insists they are still only in the "early stages of the project and where we want to eventually take Dundee United".

Goodwin says transforming the squad from one of the oldest in the league to one of the youngest and securing young players on contracts "can only be a good thing for the club as a whole going forward".

On this weekend's derby, Goodwin says: "There is no doubt we will be taking this game seriously, we know what it means to the supporters first and foremost."

United want to "put right" their collapse in the last derby, where they "let ourselves down" as Dundee came from two down in stoppage time to draw 2-2 in a frantic end.

Goodwin adds: "We need a similar level of performance, but we just need to make sure that on Sunday, if we get our noses in front, we get the job done."

Goodwin says "there is a lot at stake" for several United players for the rest of the season, despite the club being safe from relegation, with some vying for their club future and international places.

United have had talks with "certain members of the squad" about contracts for next season and are "obviously continually looking in the transfer market" to try to bolster the squad for next season, on top of pre-contracts already agreed.

On injured duo Amar Fatah and Luca Stephenson, who are set to miss the remainder of the season, Goodwin says it will "give opportunities for others" but admits both players will be a big loss having played the majority of games this season.

David Richards will step up as starting goalkeeper with Ashley Maynard-Brewer out injured. Johnny Russell and Craig Sibbald are both "pushing" for a place in the squad this weekend.