Dundee United: We were the better team, says Jackie McNamara
Last updated on .From the section Dundee Utd
Jackie McNamara said the best team lost as his side went down 1-0 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Calvin Zola's second-half strike was the difference between the two teams, with Dundee United failing to take a number of chances.
"I thought we were the better team," McNamara told BBC Scotland. "I don't think we deserved to lose the match.
"They've had one chance from open play and it's in the back of the net. It's lack of concentration that's cost us."
United dominated long spells of the game in a rain-soaked Granite City, with David Goodwillie denied by Jamie Langfield from close range in the second half.
Keith Watson and Stuart Armstrong also went close either side of half-time but couldn't find the net in front of a noisy travelling support of 1,837.
"We knew how Aberdeen were going to play; hit the ball up there, look for the second ball off the striker and try and win free-kicks," said the United boss. "I thought we dealt with it well, the couple of free-kicks they did win.
"From open play, we passed it well and it caused them problems. We looked dangerous, a real threat. We just lacked that little bit in the last third.
"We were guilty of not capitalising on the chances we created."
McNamara also felt the home side should have been reduced to 10 men in the second half when Joe Shaughnessy halted Ryan Gauld's progress on goal.
"I felt the lad should have had a second yellow card when he gets past him, which would have been a red card," he said.
"The referee never gave it. He's given the free-kick, but Gauld was away on goal, which I thought merited a second yellow and he should have been off the park."
McNamara pointed out that rival manager Derek McInnes substituted Shaughnessy immediately after the incident.
