Dundee United manager Craig Levein revealed it was Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee who had provided the motivation for his side's 2-0 win at Pittodrie.

Levein admitted McGhee's claims that Dundee United's summer signings had not improved his side had fired up his players for the game.

And after the win at a rainy Pittodrie, Levein said: "Mark McGhee had a go at the players earlier in the week about the quality and I love when that happens because it means I don't need to say anything."

He added: "He has done his team talk for me. He did two team talks for this match, one for his team and one for mine. I'm really pleased and I need to thank him for that.

"You know what players are like, they won't say anything to you but I know they were disappointed.

"I think it is hard enough in this game when you talk about what is right for your team without worrying about everybody else's.

"I didn't mention what Mark had said in my team talk but I know the lads were talking about it.

"It does make things easier when you have 38 league games and cup ties and you always need to find something to give them a little extra boost which is not always possible every week as sometimes it becomes a grind."