As McLean's youth policy began to bear fruit as a batch of talented young players began to emerge, including Maurice Malpas, Paul Sturrock and David Narey. McLean decided that his team should mount a challenge for the League championship in 1978–79, something of which the club had never previously proved capable of. United started to prove that they were serious contenders for domestic honours. In December 1979, McLean guided his team to triumph in the League Cup by winning a replayed final against Aberdeen. United retained the League Cup in 1980, defeating Dundee in the final. They also reached the Scottish Cup Final in 1981, losing after a replay to Rangers. At the same time as the club was enjoying a high standing Scottish football, McLean was gradually building the club's reputation in Europe.