A series of managers at Aberdeen have had the temerity to recruit challengers to Jamie Langfield in the eight years he has been at Pittodrie and, while some contrived to displace him, it was never on more than a temporary basis.

In the wake of this absorbing event between two sides committed to the passing game at the highest tempo, Derek McInnes, the current managerial incumbent, stated what most Aberdeen fans have taken time to accept - that Langfield is as good as any of the SPFL's other goalkeepers.

The 33-year-old has not been without his critics and has cost his club dearly on occasion, hence his "Clangers" soubriquet.

His alertness, however, not to say courage, in throwing his body in front of David Goodwillie, to prevent the Dundee United striker's late shot from cancelling out Calvin Zola's early second-half goal, was rightly described by McInnes as the "defining moment of the match".

"I just thought I would stand up for as long as I could. I knew I was one-on-one with him," Langfield said. "I saw that he was opening his foot up a little bit and that he was going to put it to my right. I gambled and some days it goes for you, sometimes the ball goes underneath you into the net, but thankfully it hit me. It was important because I didn't feel as though we were going to lose the game but they were so good going forward."

Indeed they were. Goodwillie's pace and energy provided excitement every time he accepted a pass, whether from the equally impressive Nadir Ciftci or, as in the case of the crucial duel with Langfield, from Gary Mackay-Steven. He had replaced an out-of-sorts Ryan Gauld, off the pace following an injury while on international duty with the Scotland under-19 side in Belarus a week earlier.

Despite the intensity of this compelling 90 minutes, there were surprisingly few moments of real danger at either end, although Radoslaw Cierzniak, the Dundee United goalkeeper did have to deal with a drive from Jonny Hayes which he acrobatically touched over the bar. There was also Keith Watson's scissor-kick for the visitors which whizzed past Langfield's left-hand post.

Jackie McNamara, the Tannadice manager, while dismayed that he had nothing to show for his side's excellence in all departments, took heart from their eye-catching performance, as did the powerful Ciftci, strong on the ball, fast, and a constant danger to the Aberdeen defenders.

"I think that we dominated the game and it is really disappointing that we didn't take any of the opportunities," said the 21-year-old signing from NAC Breda. "If we keep going and playing like that we will get a lot more wins soon."

For now, in this revitalised derby, the bragging rights are with Aberdeen, as strong in squad terms as they have been for some time, particularly with the influential Willo Flood, Saturday's man of the match, at the heart of their team. And, when Barry Robson, back as a substitute following surgery for a knee problem that has sidelined him since the first game of the season, is fully fit, they should boast a formidable midfield.

Langfield, meanwhile, can afford a wry smile as he thinks of his doubters who may, despite McInnes's assertions, have at one time included the Pittodrie management team.

"I'm really enjoying it and the manager and Tony Docherty [McInnes's assistant] have instilled a lot of confidence in me," he said. "They brought in Nicky Weaver in the summer, who is obviously an experienced goalkeeper, but they are happy with me. I work my a*** off in training every day to show that I want to be here and want to play for them."