Exclusive: Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin identifies key changes he must make as talented winger targets summer exit

After suffering an injury in the summer, the Tangerines star felt like he had to catch up to his teammates last season.
According to Ryan Strain, Dundee United supporters haven’t yet witnessed his peak performance. However, the resolute full-back hopes to alter that this season. Over the previous two seasons, Strain established himself as one of St. Mirren’s finest players and an Australian international before arriving at Tannadice last summer.

The 28-year-old’s plans to play in United’s entire preseason were swiftly dashed by a serious hamstring injury. He always felt like he was playing catch-up in the months that followed.

However, Strain is prepared to prove himself to everyone at Tannadice after a pivotal meeting with manager Jim Goodwin at the end of the last term.

Strain, who just missed being selected for Australia’s World Cup qualifying matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia this month, said, “The manager is the one who convinced me to come here.”

It’s always challenging to catch up because I obviously had an injury early and missed the entire preseason. “The gaffer has always supported me, so I was eager to pay him back as soon as I returned.” He is an excellent manager.
The goal of wing-backs is to get the ball into the box, therefore we have been switching around our full-backs and wingers a few times. “I met with the manager approximately two months ago, and he advised me to simplify my approach and return to my duties at St. Mirren.” However, what had been wrong with Strain at United? He thinks the answer is surprisingly easy.

Strain acknowledges, “I think I had been trying too hard.” “I believe that was the situation when I recovered from my injury. “You make an effort to regain your bearings and remember your strengths, but you put in too much effort, which detracts from the things that previously made you successful.

Getting past a man and then getting the ball into the area is how I’ve simplified things. “I feel good and it’s working because I had a few assists [late in the season].” “I think I had three goals last season, and I had six assists and four goals in my first season in Scotland.” “I simply want to have a strong preseason, improve my fitness over the summer, and then play again.”