A magnificent Dundee United climbed up among the greats of European football with a breathtaking performance at Tannadice last night. United reduced the golden boys of the Bundesliga to a shell shocked imitation of a soccer side with the finest 90 minutes in their history. Even without the help of the early goal the manager Jim McLean had wanted so much, they smashed their way brilliantly through a two goal first leg deficit.

Goals by Ralph Milne, Billy kirkwood, Paul Sturock, Paul Hegarty and Eammon Bannon sent them into the third round of ther UEFA Cup, the first time they have survived two rounds in Europe. And on this devastating form they could go all the way and lift the trophy. in this game there was a clear message to watching Scotland boss Jock Stein, Paul Sturrock must go to Spain for the World Cup finals. Just ask the Germans he destroyed last night afetr missing the first leg with a broken bone in his hand. He always looked like causing havoc and in the 36th minute just when it seemed a first half of total commitment and total control would go unrewarded, he made it count.

For the umpteenth time he turned the defence brilliantly as he cut inside from the left before playing the ball to the unmarked Ralph Milne. He kept up his recent scoring run by sweeping a 10 yard shot past Kleff for the goal united needed so badly. The Germans had looked suspect in an opening period in which Sturrock, Dodds and Milne had all come close. The first goal reduced them to a shambles as magnificent United chased more. A minute before half time Sturrock again tormented the life out of Borussia--and United were level on aggregate. A defender was forced lo poke away-a clearance but it went only as far as Billy Kirkwood. From 30 yards he hit a swerving right-rooter which Kleff didn't see until it -hit his left-hand post and bounced into othe net. Amazingly, United were able to sustain the fantastic pressure into the second half and, after several misses, Sturrock got United the goal which put them ahead in the tie. A long ball by ,Holt brought a poor header by Ringels and suddenly Sturrock was left in space in front of goal. Gleefully he hammered the ball past Kleff.

At-3-0 United were through and veteran keeper Hamish McAlpine had hardly had a thing to do. But then he kept them ahead by bravely blocking a try by Mill on his goal-line. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRAVESTY HAD THE SHATTERED GERMANS SCORED THEN.

United were called upon to finish it-and how well they did. With 15 minutes left Paul Hegarty headed the fourth after.Sturrock had struck the post from a corner. And a minute later Eamonn Bannon capped a magnificent night with the goal of the night running all the way from his own half before netting. There were three bookings-Bruns and Wuttke of Borussia, and United's Billy Kirkwood.