Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin admits his team have blown their chances of Viaplay Cup progress after suffering a second successive defeat at home to Partick Thistle on Tuesday.
The Tannadice side needed a result against their Championship rivals after a shock loss at fourth-tier Spartans in their opener on Saturday.
But they fell flat once more as goals from Jags pair Brian Graham and Harry Milne wiped out Craig Sibbald’s early strike for United, who are rooted to the bottom of Group B as the only side in the section with no points.
They host Peterhead on Saturday before travelling to Falkirk in their final match and Goodwin admits his team are now playing for pride.
“I think we need to be brutally honest about the situation, I think it’s unlikely that six points will get us out of the group,” the embattled manager told Viaplay Sports.
“I think we need to be realistic about that. We have to restore some pride on Saturday, it’s as simple as that.
“There will be changes to the starting XI again at the weekend to try and get some minutes among the group, try and get some goals and try and entertain the fans a bit more than we did tonight.”
United have been heavily criticised for their dismal start, but Goodwin, who added former Motherwell and Burton striker Louis Moult to his squad on Tuesday, is adamant their Viaplay Cup flop will not define their season.
“It’s still very early days,” he said. “Of course this isn’t the start we wanted to the campaign.
“We had every intention of winning the group and getting through to the latter stages of this competition, but, as much as we were desperate to do that, I don’t think this is going to define our season.
“Our main focus this season is on the league. We need to bounce back straight away (to the Premiership) at the first time of asking.
“It’s still important to remind ourselves we’ve brought in six new faces who are still trying to settle in and get used to the environment and what’s being asked of them.
“We’re a work in progress at the moment and we know we’ve got a lot to do.”
Partick boss Kris Doolan said: “We gave away a slack goal but the way we reacted to that was fantastic. Even though we were under pressure at times, I felt our shape was good and our young lads gave us energy.”
Bright recalled to England squad for Euro 2025 qualifiers
Millie Bright has been recalled to the England squad for the Lionesses' upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers against France, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Bright, who led her country to last year's World Cup final, is named in the 24-player party for the first time since October, having missed most of the season with a knee injury.
The Chelsea defender is joined in Sarina Wiegman's squad by team-mate Aggie Beever-Jones, who will hope to win her first cap after an impressive Women's Super League campaign in which she has scored 11 goals in 15 games.
The reigning European champions, who are second in their qualifying group and two points behind leaders France, play back-to-back games against the French on May 31 and June 4. They will then host the Irish on July 12, before heading to Sweden four days later.
"After an intense season, we wanted to give the players clarity and help them to prepare in the best possible way, with the balance of performance and welfare as a priority," Wiegman said.
"We have had good conversations with the clubs, and we are grateful for their co-operation and support in helping the players to be fresh, fit and ready for two international matches at the highest level.
"The group is finely balanced and we know that every game is going to be tight, and we’ll need to be at our best."
Varane to leave Man Utd at end of season
Raphael Varane will depart Manchester United when his contract expires at the end of this season.
The France defender, who is currently sidelined through injury, is set to leave the Red Devils after three years at Old Trafford.
Varane has made 93 appearances for the club since arriving from Real Madrid in August 2021, scoring two goals, and was part of the side that won the Carabao Cup in 2023.
United occupy eighth place in the Premier League table with two games remaining in what has been a torrid 2023-24 campaign, and are in danger of missing out on European qualification.
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old is confident brighter times lie ahead for the club.
"It's been an amazing few years to play for this special club and wear that shirt," he said in a video posted on his X account.
"The first time I went to Old Trafford as a Man United player, it was insane. The atmosphere was amazing. I fell in love with the club, with the fans. You have to play for Manchester United to understand what it represents.
"It's going to be a special place for me for life. Despite the fact we had a difficult season, I'm very positive for the future. The new owners are coming in with a clear plan and a great strategy."
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
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