Dedicates New Tannadice fans

football played in the opening period and chances were at a premium.

Aberdeen had the best chance of the half as Christian Ramirez screwed a low effort wide from 10 yards.

At the other end, Kieran Freeman flashed a 15-yard strike wide after being played in by Peter Pawlett.

But the game exploded into life with two controversial red cards on the stroke of half-time.

Firstly, Butcher was shown an instant red card.

Ramirez bundled Ryan Edwards over and the United defender squared up to the American striker.

Then in the melee that followed, Bobby Madden sent Butcher off, claiming he had struck Ramirez off the ball.

As if that wasn’t enough drama, it was about to be ramped up further as Ojo was given his marching orders in bizarre fashion. The player’s momentum carried him into the crowd and he was allegedly pushed by a United fan.

Madden determined Ojo’s actions were enough to merit a second yellow and both sides were reduced to 10 men.

Ojo appeared to mouth off at the United fans as he walked off the pitch.

And Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass didn’t return to the dugout after the break for allegedly having words with Madden in the tunnel.

Back to football matters, Benjamin Siegrist kept Aberdeen at bay with a stunning point-blank block from sub Teddy Jenks on 67 minutes.

Nicky Clark then fired a stunning overhead kick over from 10 yards.

And Joe Lewis then denied Louis Appere when he turned the substitute’s low effort wide with the aid of the post.

But United netted the winner from the resultant Scott McMann corner as Charlie Mulgrew missed the ball and Harkes blasted home from 10 yards.

Meanwhile, fans’ favourite Jeando Fuchs could miss Saturday’s trip to Ross County after coming off injured in the win over Dons.

Fuchs pulled up and was replaced by Florent Hoti.

And with United facing County, Motherwell and Celtic in the space of a week, the Cameroon-born star faces a race to get fit.

“There’s nothing yet to report,” said Courts.

“Jeando felt a little bit of pain at the top part of his leg. He will be assessed by our medical staff but is usually a player who recovers quickly.”

weekend’s ill-tempered encounter which saw both teams reduced to 10 men.