Ray McKinnon has been appointed manager of Dundee United on a three-year contract following the departure of Mixu Paatelainen, the relegated Scottish Premiership club announced on Thursday.

McKinnon, 45, resigned as Raith Rovers manager on Wednesday in order to take the job at his home-town club, where he made 122 appearances as a player over two spells.

"This is a wonderful opportunity at a club that is close to my heart and I am looking forward to taking on the task of rebuilding the club and developing the talent required to get us where we should be," McKinnon told the club website.

United were relegated after a derby defeat by Dundee earlier this month and were docked three points on Wednesday for including two ineligible players in their squad for Friday's 3-2 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

McKinnon will watch United's final game of the season at Kilmarnock on Saturday from the stands, with Gordon Young continuing in his caretaker role.