All the fuss about the referees has probably attracted a lot of attention to the game it wouldn't otherwise have received - especially with Rangers and Aberdeen in European action over the next few weeks. No one seems 100% sure why Saints boss Gus MacPherson has complained about Alan Freeland, but the fact that he has - along with the SFA making it public - has added some extra spice. Don't be surprised if we don't get any decisions tonight, although it would be ironic if we got our first penalty of the season!
It would seem that keeper Mark Howard will finally make his debut tonight, with Chris Smith suffering from swollen glands. Tannadice in the cup last year was the end of Tony Bullock's Saints career so hopefully Mark won't suffer the same fate - although he did turn in a shocker of a performance for Cardiff last season in the cup!
Will Haining will return from Saints as his suspension doesn't cover cup games, but Jim Hamilton will drop out as he's cup tied. Gary Mason, Stephen O'Donnell and Richard Brittain will all be missing, so chances are that Haining will slot back into defence, David van Zanten will move into midfield and Stephen McGinn will be on the bench.
United are already in one cup final this season and have some players who could cause us a load of problems. Mark de Vries is always a handful, while Danny Swanson looked good as a sub at Love Street. The departure of Barry Robson may have helped Saints, but facing United is still a tough task.
Personally, I think our chance of progress went at Love Street. That - combined with Freeland probably giving United everything - should see United home fairly comfortably.