Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen is planning to put his players through an intensive training schedule during the international break after seeing them slump to yet another defeat.

Saturday's 2-0 loss at Aberdeen was the fourth reverse in five games since Paatelainen took from Jackie McNamara, leaving United three points adrift at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Finn now has a fortnight to prepare for their next fixture against St Johnstone, and he is determined to make the most of that time to try and bring about some improvements.

He said: "We will work everyday next week. There will be no time off for the boys.

"We need to do a lot of work, not only defensively, but offensively as well. I feel our passing is nowhere near where it should be. Somehow it looks like the players are restricted in their movement."

"Today (Saturday) we went with a very, very basic shape and said we'd play with freedom, not thinking about tactics too much. Unfortunately I didn't see enough."

United have scored just one goal in their last six games, and Paatelainen, himself a former international striker, added: "I felt we should have scored two goals (against Aberdeen). We should have been 1-0 ahead at half-time.

"These are the defining moments in the match. If you don't take them, you're up against it."

There is a clear need for reinforcements at Tannadice, and with Japan international goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima awaiting a work permit, Paatelainen hopes to make his first signing sooner rather than later.

"It would be wonderful if Eiji Kawashima could join us," he said. "We have young goalkeepers at the club, and he has plenty experience. He's a World Cup campaigner and I think he would improve the standard of the Scottish Premier League.

"It is up to a work permit meeting as to whether he joins us, but I think there would be huge benefits."

Aberdeen secured the points on Saturday thanks to second-half goals from Irish duo Adam Rooney and Jonny Hayes.

It was the club's first victory since beating Hearts back in September and left them third in the standings.

Hayes said: "A win was the most important thing. It's not been a great month or so, but the last three weeks we've been getting better and today we defended well and took it from there.

"When you lose you look forward to the next game and want it to come round quite quick, but when you win you want to get back out and play straight away. We enjoyed it today and training this week is going to be more enjoyable than it has been over the last couple of weeks.

"We'll look forward to training this week and recharge the batteries a bit before we get ready to face Hamilton."

Hayes and Rooney were joined in the team by compatriot Willo Flood, and Hayes said: "The more Irishmen, the better!

"Willo hasn't played for a long time but I think he was excellent today. He set the tone for us. You know what you're going to get from Willo and sometimes you're a guy like that to give everyone a spark."