Peter Houston will not be fooled by rigours of Hungarian trip

United finished fourth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last term, one place behind Hearts, who drew 1-1 with Paksi, on Thursday, in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying third-round tie.

Houston, who looks likely to be without sought-after striker David Goodwillie tomorrow after Blackburn made an enhanced offer for him, believes the Jambos have a squad capable of dealing with the demands of a European away match and an SPL fixture within three days.

The United manager said: "I don't think that will affect them at all. I think they've got a big enough squad.

"(Mehdi) Taouil missed out, (Andy) Webster missed out. If they're fit they might freshen it up a wee bit.

"And whatever Hearts team we face we know it's going to be a very strong one because they've got a big group of players and a team that's full of confidence."

While Hearts beat United to third place in the SPL behind the Old Firm last season, Houston says it is too soon to be thinking about getting a morale boost in the race for third place this term. He added: "For us to talk about third and fourth between Hearts and Dundee United at this stage, simply because that's the way it has been, I think is disrespectful. It's the second game of the season, there's a long, long way to go.

"At this early stage I don't think it's a key point for us to go there and psychologically get anything. What I'll be looking for is to go there and try and get the most positive result we can. We'll go there and try and win the match, but at Tynecastle it's always difficult. If we have our strongest team out, we can be as good as any other team outside the Old Firm.

"That's the way I look at it, rather than looking at other teams."

Johnny Russell, meanwhile, admits Dundee United feel they have a point to prove after watching so many top stars leave at the end of last season.

Quite apart from the Goodwillie situation, Houston was unable to hold on to Morgaro Gomis, Prince Buaben and Craig Conway, who all headed for England under freedom of contract and that heralded the break-up of the team which lifted the Scottish Cup and finished third in 2010.

Russell is at the forefront of United's new generation, which has been boosted by the arrivals of Willo Flood, John Rankin and Gary Mackay-Steven, and he revealed this current crop of players are determined to prove the doubters wrong.

"With the players we lost in the summer people are thinking we won't be as good this season. But that just gives us a point to prove to everyone," he said. "The manager has brought quality players in and we have plenty of guys ready to step up to the challenge. Everyone has tipped Hearts to finish third this season but on our day we think we're as good as them.I don't see much between the teams and we'll be trying to prove that on Sunday.We have done well at Tynecastle in the past and will be looking to come away from there with something this time."