Ray McKinnon insists Dundee United have to learn quickly in the Championship

New Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon insists the team will have to adapt swiftly to the Championship in order to gain promotion next season.

United were relegated from the Scottish Premiership in May, and McKinnon, who led Raith Rovers to the Championship promotion play-offs, was appointed as Mixu Paatelainen's replacement.

The former United midfielder reckons the team may have to change their traditional passing style of play and become more direct if they are to return to the top-flight at the first attempt.

"As a manager, you need to adapt to suit the level you're working at," McKinnon told the Courier.

"For example, if you went to the Championship in England and tried to play football, you would be out of a job within two months because you would get beaten every week.

"Up here, if you are in the top six in the Premiership, you can play any way you want and have any philosophy you want to talk about.

"But right now, for us, it's about winning games and trying to get out of the Championship.

"There is no point saying we are going to try to play like Barcelona because you can't do it in the league we're in.

"Obviously, we want to play in the right manner and we will do so, but you have to be pragmatic as well.

"You always want flair in your team but we know it won't be plain sailing so you have to have that steeliness too.

"We're not daft and we realise you have to do what's best to bring the club success.

"You need a solid base and then that allows your creative players to play their game.

"Hibs went with a very experienced team in the Championship last season and still couldn't get promoted. Falkirk have had the same group of players for the last two seasons now and they fell just short.

"You will get games where teams will put 10 men behind the ball and smash into you.

"So anyone who thinks we're just going to turn up and turn people over will need to realise that isn't how this league works.

"We need a bit of realism."