The match was scheduled to take place on Sunday at Tannadice but, with most of the players affected by the virus, the club applied to the SFA to have the clash postponed.

United boss Craig Levein told Sky Sports News: "On Friday afternoon we notified the Scottish FA. We tried to leave it as long as long as possible but not too late for everyone changing their arrangements. It's impossible for us to get onto the pitch.

"I've been involved with teams who have had flu before. The problem with being compounded with flu normally is that you usually field a young side but they're away at the moment as well so we don't even have those players available.

"Some of the boys have had it for three days and others are starting to get it so it's a four or five day thing at least."