A depleted United were beaten 4-0 at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night with Bleiberg forced to include several youngsters in his squad due to injury and suspension.

Kristian Rees, Bas Van Den Brink and Steve Pantelidis were all missing from the backline and Melbourne were able to breach United's defences on four occasions.

To make matters worse, injury struck both Steve Fitzsimmons and Joel Porter during the course of the clash.

"It was always going to be hard for us but then to lose Steve Fitzsimmons and Joel Porter made it even harder. However, some of our young players gained vital experience and that will stand them in good stead for the future," said Bleiberg.

 "We didn't have the personnel to make it the even contest we would have liked, so we will just have to put it behind us and concentrate on our next match when we will have our suspended players back."

Gold Coast will look to bounce back when they entertain Central Coast Mariners on Saturday evening.