The 2001-02 campaign delivered a turbulent yet ultimately safe season for Dundee United as The Terrors secured an 8th-place finish in the Scottish Premier League under manager Alex Smith. Spearheading the attack were joint league top scorers Derek Lilley and Jim McIntyre, both notching 6 crucial goals, while young forward Steven Thompson topped the overall charts with 10 goals across all competitions. It was a season built on mixed domestic results, featuring a thrilling opening-day derby draw with rivals Dundee, and runs to the Quarter-finals of both major cup competitions, marking a solid, if unspectacular, year of consolidation for the club.