Dundee Utd to start interviewing for vacant manager's position

Dundee United are set to start interviewing for the vacant manager's position after receiving more than 50 applications.

Ray McKinnon (pictured) was sacked on Tuesday after a slow start to the season which sees them five points adrift of St Mirren in the Ladbrokes Championship, with a 2-0 loss to Inverness on Saturday confirming his fate.

The club has announced that assistant manager Laurie Ellis will take charge of the team against Dumbarton this weekend, but interviews are due to start shortly with a view to hiring a permanent replacement.

A statement on the club's official website said: Dundee United has received more than 50 applications for the vacant manager's position.

The process of selection began on Wednesday morning with a short list currently being prepared for first stage interviews expected to start in the next 24 hours.''

John Hughes and Jim McIntyre are two of the favourites to land the job at Tannadice, with the former a target of chairman Stephen Thompson two years ago.

McIntyre is available after leaving Ross County in September, while former boss Mixu Paatelainen's number two Gordon Young has also emerged as a contender but Alan Stubbs has ruled himself out