Dundee United have hit back at fierce criticism of the board 's performance by two leading supporters ' groups . Arabtrust and the Federation of Dundee United Supporters Clubs say they are 'shocked ' that 25 per cent of £6.3million worth of transfer fees for Ryan Gauld , Andrew Robertson , Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven were paid in commission to unnamed parties . The supporters groups also disputed chairman Stephen Thompson 's alleged level of investment in the club . The Dundee United board have hit back at criticism from supporters by pointing to their on-field success . The Tannadice club - already under fire for selling Armstrong and Mackay-Steven to Celtic six weeks before their League Cup final defeat to the Scottish champions - responded by defending their record in a statement . It read : 'All supporters can be assured that the board will continue to implement its professional and comprehensive strategy for the football club . 'This strategy and the related actions of the chairman and board of directors have delivered progress both on and off field . 'On the field the club has reached back-to-back domestic cup finals for the first time in 29 years , qualified for European competition in three of the last four years , finished in the Premiership top six in every one of the last seven years and won the Scottish Cup in 2010 . 'The current management team and players are also sitting fourth in the Premiership this season with sights firmly set on securing a European qualification place . ' The supporters ' joint statement expressed concern over the levels of club debts , saying : 'Despite the sales of the four players the board of DUFC does not believe that this is yet sufficient to pay all current remaining debt . ' Defending their record on that point , the club statement responded : 'Off field the board has reduced overall debt , including Thompson family loans , from £5.2m in February 2014 to £2.6m while successfully extricating the club from all bank debt . The club debt is projected to be reduced to £1.4m by the end of this year . 'Supporters can rest assured that the board is comprised of individuals that are , without exception , Dundee United supporters . They bring with them a wealth of experience in business . 'At all times , the board acts to promote the success of Dundee United and will continue to do so . ' Arabtrust and the Federation also voiced concerns that chairman Thompson was wary of bringing in external investors for fear of seeing his family 's shareholding drop below 75 per cent . The most explosive allegation , however , is the claim concerning the commission paid to outside parties – none of whom are understood to be players , agents or other clubs . The supporters ' joint statement added : 'We believe this figure to be in excess of £500k . This does not include payments to players , agents or other clubs . When all of these various payments are totalled , over 25 per cent of the £6.3m in fees received has not been kept in the club . ' United last year announced that a recent debt settlement would see the Bank of Scotland collect a share of transfer fees received before the end of August 2015 . A United spokesman said : 'We 've been reluctantly drawn into this matter and have no wish to enter a war of words , but the £500,000 figure is an entirely fictitious amount based on an incorrect assumption . At no time was that figure provided to anyone , so it 's surprising to see it in the public domain . ' Some supporters were angered by the amount of commission that was paid from transfer fees received .
Dundee United have faced criticism from fans over the 25 per cent commission paid out from ££6.3mm worth of transfer fees received . However , the club have responded by pointing to their record on the pitch . Dundee have reached back to back domestic cup finals for the first time in 29 years and secured European football three times in the last four seasons .