Dons' scoring struggles laid bare

574 minutes without a Premiership goal.

Of all Aberdeen's deficiencies in their worst start to a league season in 26 years, their inability to put the ball in the net is perhaps the most glaring.

In taking just one point from the opening five matches, Jimmy Thelin's side have scored zilch. Worryingly, their xG (expected goals) total is 5.29, suggesting woeful finishing when chances do present themselves.

New arrivals Jesper Karlsson and Stuart Armstrong had opportunities in the latest loss, Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat at Dundee United, but neither could break the Dons' duck.

Armstrong's effort off the bar was the third time Aberdeen have struck woodwork, only Celtic (5) and Hearts (4) have been thwarted more.

The Tannadice defeat was also the Dons' highest xG from open play - 1.11 - this season in the Premiership and their joint-most shots total of 16, although only two were on target.

And there were zero what Opta call 'big chances' for the visitors, whose tally of six in that category is the lowest of any Premiership club.

To complete the early-season perfect storm, Aberdeen are also underperforming their xG against of 5.84, having shipped seven goals so far.

And Tuesday night was their biggest xG against by a distance, 1.83, with United registering 15 shots, a third of which were on target.