What does the cryptic crossword clue "United in mess, bust possibly (6)" mean?

The definition is "bust possibly". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). U (synonym="abbrev. for “United’") in STATE (synonym="informal term for a “mess”/an untidy state") = STATUE; definition: "bust possibly" The answer is STATUE.

United in mess, bust possibly (6)

Independent Cryptic #1660 | 8 Down | 2021-12-19 flower

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