United beat Partick Thistle 2-1 at The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill thanks to goals either side of half-time from Fraser Aird and Pavol Safranko before Jai Quitongo pulled one back.
The win moves the Tannadice side level on points with third-placed Inverness CT while Thistle stay eighth.
In the day's only other league game, Elgin City came from behind to beat Cowdenbeath 3-1 at Borough Briggs. Shane Sutherland scored twice as Gavin Price's team moved level on points with fourth-placed Annan in Ladbrokes League 2.
