And in his first season, United's new manager brought the Scottish Cup to Tannadice for the first time after six failures in the ultimate stage of the competition in the previous twenty years and so completed the full set of domestic honours for the club.

However, despite that very welcome cup triumph, United flirted dangerously with relegation and a year later found themselves losing top grade status for the first time since 1960.

Ivan Golac left the Club after United's exit in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup in March 1995 and was replaced shortly afterwards by Tannadice old boy Billy Kirkwood. United's most capped player, Maurice Malpas, was appointed assistant manger in the close season as the Club formulated their plans to re-establish themselves as one of Scotland's leading sides.

In the short term that demanded bouncing back to the Premier Division at the first time of asking. This was duly achieved in 1995/96, albeit by the skin of their teeth, as United ousted Partick Thistle in a play-off for promotion. Just 40 seconds remained when United leveled matters in the second leg before going on to win the match in extra time.

Ivan Golac and Jim McLean greet the crowds

Having regained their top flight status, United made a poor start to the 1996-97 which resulted in Billy Kirkwood being replaced by Tommy McLean. From second bottom of the league, the new manager prompted a remarkable transformation in playing fortunes as the Club rocketed up the league to finish in third place and book a return to Europe, claiming a UEFA Cup berth.

The momentum was maintained as the Club reached the final of the Coca-Cola Cup in 1997, but a disappointing display saw Celtic emerge 3-0 victors. That set the trend for the rest of the season with the threat of relegation only banished in the second last game of the season.

A poor start to season 1998-99 prompted the resignation of manager Tommy McLean, and Paul Sturrock was immediately appointed in his place to try and emulate the success that he enjoyed with the club as a player. By the end of Paul Sturrock's first season Premier League status was retained with a ninth position finish and a managerial pledge of big changes was made to the fans as the Club entered its 90th year.

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