Beckford invited United's displeasure when he turned down their offer of a new contract in May, just as Leeds were in danger of incurring Beckford's wrath when they reacted by making him available for transfer, but the grounds for an acrimonious divorce have not been dwelt on by either side.

It went without saying that, for as long as he remained on United's books, Beckford would be the most keenly scrutinised of Simon Grayson's players this summer – moreso than Fabian Delph, who is free from the stigma of sitting on the transfer list.

but the initial impression is that of a player with the appropriate attitude to remain at Elland Road next season, however the land around his contract lies.

Beckford can make no promises about his future any more than Grayson can – a deal which is now into its last 12 months has muddied those waters – but his manager must already be convinced that the striker, worth no fewer than 54 goals to Leeds in two seasons, is capable of remaining on board without rocking the boat.

Given Beckford's persona and the intermittent role he can have in matches, it was inevitable that his performances in pre-season would be scanned for evidence that he was sulking or unsettled, but an outing in Dublin last night, which brought two goals and followed on from a steady warm-up at York City, said otherwise.

His finishes in a first half when he might have scored four times and when United's two-goal lead could easily have been trebled, were characteristic efforts from a player who relies on instinct and benefits visibly from confidence.