Leaders’ hearts have a “day off” as the winter test approaches

The biggest news ahead of the game at Tynecastle was the absence of midfielder Benni Baningame, who has started eight successive league games, and who is set to be out of action for up to six weeks.

Come full-time McInnes felt his side missed Baningime’s ‘calm’ in midfield as they frantically chased a winner.

Only Motherwell had previously left Tynecastle with a point this season due to the intensity of Hart’s play.

Their ability to push the ball forward quickly and make sides defend their own penalty area was the hallmark.

They managed 81 entries into the final third against United and sent in 21 crosses, but it was not accompanied by the usual composure and quality as they managed just two shots on target.

“The game lacked our usual control,” McInnes told BBC Scotland.

“We controlled a little more in the second half but Dundee United remained a threat.

“We lacked a bit of quality and needed to stay calm. We were a bit overexcited at times. We played football in the last five minutes for most of the second half.

“We just needed to have more confidence in what we were doing.”

Banningame is Hearts’ most accurate passer this season and among the players who featured regularly also won the highest percentage of his duels.

He has sorely missed his ability to pick out passes in the heat of battle and stop counter-attacks, something United were very happy with.

His partner in crime Cammy Devlin was again outstanding and was Hearts’ most influential player, but Thomas Magnusson was less effective as a replacement for Banningame.

The Icelander’s passing accuracy dropped to 77% and he won four of his 10 duels in a tense, physical match.

Record-holder Ageu was at least fit enough to feature in the second half.

McInnes picked the same team for six successive matches until last week’s win over Dundee, and his career has gone off without a hitch against a negative side.

But with Banningame now out for at least the next month and Craig Halkett also suspended for the next game against Aberdeen, it looks like the depth of Hearts’ squad will be fully tested in a busy winter season.