David Melvin reporting from Ibrox 

Goals from Steven Naismith and Barry Ferguson secured three points for Rangers and put Walter Smith's side top of the SPL for the first time since September 23.

Smith stuck with the starting eleven that had earned three points at Easter Road last week after an impressive display in Edinburgh.

Despite the quality on show in that match and United coming off the back of a 4-1 over Hearts it was a slow start to the game.

After a well observed minute's applause in memory of Phil O'Donnell it was a subdued beginning to the first half with both the teams and the crowd struggling to make any early impact.

If anything it was United who made the better of the early possession. Noel Hunt forced a corner in the sixth minute but Barry Robson's delivery was poor and his second attempt was well cleared by Davie Weir.

It was just the wake up call that Rangers needed though, with their next meaningful attack producing a goal.

And it was the same combination that produced the opener at Easter Road a week ago. Chris Burke delivered another inviting cross from the right and Steven Naismith was on hand to meet it.

United keeper Euan McLean managed to get a hand to the former Killie man's header, but it wasn't enough to keep it out of the net as Rangers took the lead after just nine minutes.

That goal settled Walter Smith's team and Daniel Cousin was next to threaten when his left wing run in the 17th minute almost produced an opening, but his cross came slightly too late and was cleared by the United defence.

With poor weather conditions a contributing factor, the game became increasingly scrappy as it neared the half hour mark.

Again it was Burke who provided the impetus to lift the mood. His jinking run after 35 minutes created space on the edge of the box, with his resulting shot from 18 yards begin deflected narrowly wide for a corner.

Burke was the man to take the set piece and his wicked delivery almost created a second, but Alan Hutton's towering header flew narrowly over the bar.

Naismith was clearly enjoying his run in the team and with a second goal in two games doing his confidence no harm he looked dangerous when on the ball.

And when he was unceremoniously dumped to the turf by Lee Wilkie in the 37th minute it resulted in the free kick that would lead to the second goal.

Burke once again switched to the left for the set piece and although his inswinger was cleared by United he was still on the left to deliver a second ball that Barry Ferguson, wearing a special armband bearing Phil O'Donnell's number and the Motherwell crest, managed to get a glancing header to.

The ball floated into the bottom corner of McLean's net and after some discussion with the far side linesman, referee Mike McCurry awarded the goal to put Gers two up five minutes before the break.

Craig Levein clearly wasn't impressed with his side and made a late first half substitution, replacing right back Sean Dillon with midfielder Danny Swanson.

The teams re-emerged for the second half in pouring rain once again. And the conditions did little to help with the quality of football on show.

Rangers enjoyed the bulk of possession, but chances were few and far between. Kevin Thomson made a fine break from midfield early in the second period and his pass released Cousin on the edge of the United box.

But Wilkie was on hand to hook a leg round the Gers striker for a great recovery tackle.

It was Cousin again who was on the end of some great work from Hutton and Ferguson, but the Gers number 29 chose not to shoot and was forced too wide by the advancing McLean.

With Smith clearly keen to life his side after they conceded a late goal last week, he sent on fans' favourite Nacho Novo for goalscorer Naismith in the 70th minute.

And the little Spaniard earned a late penalty for Gers when he was man handled by Willo Flood. McCurry pointed to the spot, but Gers other sub Kris Boyd fired his spot kick straight at McLean.

Rangers: McGregor; Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker; Burke, Ferguson, Hemdani, Thomson, Naismith (Novo 70); Cousin (Boyd 81).
Subs: Carroll, Papac, Adam, Furman, Efrem.

Dundee Utd: McLean, Dillon (Swanson 42), Wilkie, Dods, Grainger; Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Robson; Odhiambo (Conway 51), Hunt.
Subs: Zaluska, David Robertson, Kenneth, Bauben, Jordan Robertson.