Jim Goodwin believes Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou will draw attention from all over Europe

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin believes his Motherwell counterpart Jens Berthel Askou will be drawing attention from all over Europe after an impressive start to his Fir Park reign.

The Dane was a left-field appointment in the summer but has taken Scottish football by storm by implementing a bold, possession-based style that has helped Well soar to third in the William Hill Premiership.

Goodwin is wary of the test his struggling United side face when they host the burgeoning Steelmen on Saturday.

“I think the new manager has been incredible,” said the United boss. “It’s quite a remarkable transformation in terms of their playing style.

“They’ve won five of their last eight games, unbeaten in those eight games, kept four clean sheets in the last four games, so it’s as difficult an opponent as you can face at this moment in time.

“He deserves a huge amount of credit and given the results at the moment and where Motherwell are sitting in the table, I would imagine there’s a lot of people out there all over Europe taking notice.”

While Berthel Askou’s star is rising, Goodwin admitted he is “going through the toughest period that I’ve experienced in my time as United manager” after notching just one win in 10 games.

The Irishman is hoping a run of three consecutive home games against Well, Celtic and Hibernian can help spark an upturn.

“Our home form hasn’t been good enough,” said Goodwin. “We have to start winning games of football at home in front of our own supporters. It’s going to be a tough week.

“This schedule around about Christmas always puts big demands on all of the teams all over the country but the great thing about it is if you can pick up some positive results, you can gain a lot of momentum from it.

“It’s three difficult games, Motherwell, Celtic and Hibs, but we’ve performed really well in the big games this season and we have to do that over the next week.”