Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes praised his players' mental resilience after following a 7,000-mile round trip to Kazakhstan with victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.

United lost 3-0 at home to United on the opening day of last season after going out of the Europa League days earlier, but they showed little sign of their epic journey as Kenny McLean headed the only goal in the 83rd minute.

McLean had netted a crucial away goal in the 2-1 defeat by Kairat Almaty and his looping, backward header from David Goodwillie's cross could be just as important if Aberdeen are to mount a Ladbrokes Premiership title challenge.

McInnes said: "I'm absolutely delighted with everything, given the circumstances.

"There was lots of determination and good play, as an away team we had a fair level of control for long spells. After we went in front there was a maturity about our performance.

"We were bemoaning the lack of quality in the final third - the last pass, cross, set-play delivery was disappointing. I think time and time again we let them off the hook with poor delivery. But that's nit-picking.

"With everything we had to endure prior to coming here, the fitness levels, the strength and the determination was what we should be talking about.

"And I'm delighted for Kenny because I thought he was the best man on the park."

Aberdeen were backed by 3,500 travelling fans in a crowd of more than 10,000 and McInnes was delighted to see his players rise to the occasion.

"I always felt we would be fit enough, it was the mental side of it," he said.

"We couldn't have tired minds, we had to treat the game as the first day of the season, that anticipation and excitement. Our fans were treating it that way and they deserved to see their team treat it the same way."

The game could have been different if Mario Bilate had finished a chance at the end of a tight first half but his shot allowed Danny Ward to block.

But United boss Jackie McNamara was not discouraged after the opening loss.

"Aberdeen are favourites to finish second but I didn't see a lot in the match," McNamara said.

"They have a strong squad but I have belief in my own players that we can have a successful season.

"If I'm being critical, we could have got out quicker to stop the cross. Goodwillie was facing towards the stand and managed to turn on it.

"I don't think there were any real chances and I don't think we deserved to lose the match.

"Their keeper had a good save from Mario. I thought he was going to put it away in the corner, he has maybe not put it wide enough but credit to the goalkeeper."

Bilate limped off with a hamstring issue but McNamara is optimistic it is not a major recurrence of the problems that dogged the striker last season.

"He was just a bit tight in his hamstring," the United boss said. "We will see how he is tomorrow. It's been frustrating for the lad but hopefully it's not bad."