 McGillivray was playing for Dundee United when he accepted the offer to become manager in November 1944.The club's youngest ever manager, McGillivray was in charge for eleven months, resigning in late 1945 when it was announced the club were looking for somebody from outside to manage.McGillivray had the misfortune to preside over United's record home defeat, a 9–1 loss to Aberdeen in February 1945.