Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has travelled abroad to hold talks with potential investors in the Tannadice side, STV understands.

The United chief has come for criticism from fans over his running of the club with the chairman of fans' group the ArabTRUST telling STV change was required on and off the field.

Thompson watched on from the stands as bottom club United lost out 3-1 to Hamilton on Sunday, a result which leaves them eight points off Kilmarnock with just 12 to play for. Disgruntled supporters held a protest outside the ground in the wake of the defeat with chants for Thompson to leave the club.

Annual accounts, released last week, showed United's wage to turnover ratio has increased and player sales are required going forward to sustain operating losses, which this year came to £799,000.

United's figures also point out a "significant future funding requirement" would be needed within the next year if the club were to continue trading once dropping down to the Championship and with this in mind, Thompson will hold discussions in the coming days.

Earlier this month Thompson's sister and fellow director Justine Mitchell shocked the club by resigning from the board in the wake of the Scotish Cup semi-final defeat to Hibernian.

In February, Thompson apologised to supporters and admitted the United board had made crucial mistakes in the last 18 months that have been instrumental in the team's sharp decline.