United opt for McCall

Mass defection
McCall was unveiled at a press conference at Tannadice Park this afternoon - nearly four months after he rejected advances from United to stay with Scottish first division leaders Falkirk FC. The former Airdrieonians FC boss has signed a three-and-a-half year contract and brings his management team of coach Gordon Chisholm and assistant Tony Doherty with him.

Promotion hopes
McCall, 37, had taken Falkirk to the top of the first division but knew their hopes of promotion were doomed because their ground does not meet Scottish Premier League requirements. His first game at the helm will be Saturday's home match against fellow strugglers Motherwell FC.

Rock bottom
Meanwhile, former United player Hegarty, who had succeeded the sacked Alex Smith in November after a month in caretaker charge, was dismissed this morning with the Tangerines bottom of the Premier League.

Winless streak
United have lost six and drawn four out of ten league games since they beat Motherwell on 16 November. Last night's 2-0 away defeat by Celtic FC left them a point adrift of Motherwell, while last Saturday they went out of the Scottish Cup, losing 3-2 at home to Hibernian FC.

New signings
Yet the fact chairman Eddie Thompson allowed him to sign four players during the January transfer window makes Hegarty's departure a surprise. Billy Dodds and Gary Bollan joined from Rangers FC and Livingston FC, while Bradford City AFC's Andy Tod arrived on loan and free agent Daniele Chiarini was another addition. United also have a League Cup semi-final against Celtic to look forward to next week.

Thompson's choice
It had been widely reported, however, that Hegarty, a Scottish title winner with United in 1983, was never Thompson's first choice as manager following the chairman's buy-out of former owner Jim McLean last October.