Mark Ogren, the new Dundee United owner, last night rubbished once and for all talk of a possible merger with city rivals Dundee.

The US-based businessman spoke out yesterday for the first time since taking control at Tannadice before Christmas as he bids to make the Tangerines a force to be reckoned with again in Scottish football.

Ogren arrived here knowing speculation is rife regarding a potential joining of forces between the two clubs in the City of Discovery, with their neighbouring Dark Blues being owned by fellow American businessman Tim Keyes.

But the United chief moved quickly to kick any such controversial idea into touch and insisted there's no chance either of a ground-share taking place in the future.

Ogren said: “I have had no contact with the people at Dundee. Do I plan to speak to them? I’d be open to meeting them and probably will sometime. But it won’t be to have any discussions on a merger at all. We are not interested in that.

“I also see the club’s future as being at Tannadice, definitely. This is one of the assets we purchased. It’s a great facility so we absolutely plan on staying here as our home.

“There is much more passion in the fan-base here than what we experienced in the teams we have been involved in before. But I like that."