Dundee United striker Zac Sapsford is firing again after a summer reset
Dundee United striker Zac Sapsford has kicked off the 2026-27 season in blistering form, and manager Jim Goodwin believes the Australian’s summer break was the key to his revival. Sapsford, who scored 11 goals in his first Premiership campaign last year, has already hit three goals in four Premier Sports Cup outings this summer and will face Salford City on Saturday.
What did Jim Goodwin say about Sapsford’s return?
Goodwin pointed to the striker’s mental reset as the driving force behind his early-season sharpness. “Zac is coming into this season off the back of a really positive one last year,” Goodwin said. “It was his first season in Scotland, away from home, and to score 11 goals and play as big a part as he did was excellent. He’s clearly looking to kick on again this season.”
Sapsford’s best spell last term came when he played off the left, cutting onto his stronger right foot to link up with the central striker. Goodwin added: “He probably would tell you he’d prefer to play through the middle, but I think a lot of his best football for us last season came in that pocket on the left-hand side.”
Why the break mattered for Sapsford and the squad
Sapsford struggled midway through last season before Goodwin rested him to freshen him up. “Zac tired in the middle part of the season and we took him out of the team, tried to give him a bit of freshness and he finished the season strongly for us,” Goodwin said. “But I think the break was important for a lot of members of the squad. But certainly Zac, he needed it.”
The squad’s mental recovery was especially vital for overseas players like Sapsford. “It can be tough for the Aussie boys, in particular, because you're so far away from home,” Goodwin said. “Even when you do get the international breaks, you're only getting four days off so you can’t hop on a plane and fly to Australia over the weekend.”
What’s next for Dundee United?
United face Salford City on Saturday in their final pre-season outing before the Premiership opener against Rangers on Friday. Goodwin admitted the squad still needs minutes for fringe players, but the focus is on Sapsford’s sharp start. “There are a number of players within the group who need a few more minutes,” he said. “We will try to be fair to the entire group.”
Salford City, backed by Manchester United-linked investors, will provide a physical test. “They are a very ambitious club,” Goodwin said. “It is a very physical league down there. It will be a good test for us.”
Dundee United sit ninth in the Premiership with 33 points from 33 games last season, 37 points behind Heart Of Midlothian, and their recent run of form reads WLWWL. With Sapsford leading the line, Goodwin’s side will hope to build on a summer of recovery and early-season promise.
