Businessman Craig Whyte's proposed takeover of the Scottish champions is expected to be resolved in the next day or so after months of negotiations.

Smith called for a resolution to the situation on Friday but believes the headlines surrounding Rangers' off-field issues had little to do with their 3-2 loss at Ibrox.

"I don't think so, I don't think there is any problem in that respect," he said.

"We have had those types of headlines for the last three years. For us, it's not a footballing issue.

"The problem that we have - which has happened to us on a few occasions at home this season - is that we have managed to get in front and teams have pegged us back all too easily in the games.

"That's a factor that has been an ongoing problem for us."

Nikica Jelavic's opener was cancelled out by David Robertson on the stroke of half-time. Steven Naismith restored Rangers' lead shortly after the restart only for United to level for a second time through Johnny Russell.

Not satisfied with the point, the Tannadice side then sealed victory thanks to a last-minute strike from one-time Rangers target David Goodwillie, who this week signed a new deal.

Smith also refused to use injury problems as an excuse for the result, despite being able to name just five substitutes.

He said: "It's nothing to do with today's result, it's just a fact that's what we've got. It's no reason for today's result."

Kirk Broadfoot had been on course to return to the squad after being sidelined since November with a foot problem but failed to make the bench.

Smith explained: "He trained on Friday morning and was okay and would have been on the bench today but he felt a bit of soreness in his foot so I decided not to use him after the time he has been out."

With Celtic's game at Inverness earlier in the day postponed, a win would have allowed Rangers to move top of the SPL for the first time since Boxing Day, with both Old Firm rivals having now played the same number of games.

Asked if the loss to United was a major missed opportunity, Smith said: "They are all going to missed opportunities if you lose games.

"When you look at the championship overall, if you're saying that each of us with 10 games to play are going to win every game, we are not going to do that. I don't think anybody has had that level of run in the championship so far.

"We don't want to lose a game but if people consider we will win the next 10 games, we will be all right. But it won't happen like that, league championships never happen like that.

"We only look at today's game and say what we have to adjust to is the fact we have lost goals after getting in front on a number of occasions, instead of having the toughness to handle that situation."

United boss Peter Houston was thrilled with the reaction from his players following their midweek Scottish Cup defeat to Motherwell.

He said: "I don't think we could have asked for a better response. I've got a group of players who will respond and who have responded in the past to a couple of dodgy results.

"To twice come from behind against a good Rangers side shows their resilience and determination so I can't praise them highly enough."

Houston added: "We had a fantastic support at Motherwell, we had 3,500 and we let them down badly.

"Today the loyal band of fans who follow us every week will be in their cars happy and we are delighted we have sent them home happy."