Yuel scored the winner in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Melbourne City in a behind closed doors friendly.

It was the former NPL Victoria star’s fourth goal in as many games after his historic opening goal in the club’s first friendly.

Rudan, however, was happy to hose down hype over Yuel and emphasise where the forward needs to improve.

“There are a lot of improvements to go in his game,” Rudan said after the win. “In between the two boxes, he needs to get a lot better.

“And we challenge him every day. But it’s not a bad story for the media.

“We’ve got to keep him grounded and make sure he continues to work hard at his game.”

Yuel benefited from a defensive lapse to slam home the winner against City.

“There were a lot of positives. What it does is gives the boys a lot of confidence. It’s the great unknown but today was a team that’s in the FFA Cup and are fitter," Rudan added. 

“We’re nowhere near where we need to be. So there were a lot of positives but improvements we’ll look into as well.”

However, the search for another striker continues with a month to go before United’s season kicks off away to Phoenix.

“We are quietly confident of finding a striker who can hold the ball, make forward runs in between,” Rudan said. “One who is quite robust and has a good work ethic.

“And a great attitude and a team player. There are a lot of strikers that come through but we want a specific one.

“We don’t want one that’s always working towards the goal.”

One signing United has made is Dario Jertec. Former Socceroo and EPL midfielder Josep Skoko played with Jertec in the 08/09 season at Hajduk Split.

And the Croatian comes to United highly recommended.

PLUS...

On the sidelines: Western United vs North Geelong Warriors

Western United took another step towards their A-League debut next month, lining up against North Geelong Warriors in another warm up at City Pavilion in Fraser Rise last night. A goal from Scott McDonald and a spot kick from Valentino Yuel sealed the 2-0 win for Mark Rudan's side in front of a noisy crowd.

“We’ve done a lot of research. He’s a fantastic individual, a leader,” Rudan said.

“He went with the current Croatian national team coach back to Varaždin to help the club get promoted. They’ve done that and now and achieved what they wanted to.

“He’s a family man who asked a lot of really relevant questions about the football club, which I liked.

“He wants to help. Help the young players and he’ll add some steel and experience that we want.”

The 34-year-old is United fourth visa signing, joining Italian Alessandro Diamanti, Greek Panagiotis Kone and Polish keeper Filip Kurto.

Jertec is an eight-time Croatian U-21 international

Rudan added: “We want to play a certain style with the ball as well and he’ll help us in the middle of the park to receive the ball in between lines and look forward.

“He totally fits the bill.”