The majority of Football League clubs would say the same and most, in general, were happy to leave the last-minute scrambling to Manchester City and their Arabian goldmine.

Without the clamour at Eastlands, the day would have been largely unremarkable (unless the news that Manchester United won the argument over Dimitar Berbatov strikes you as improbable).

Leeds, it turns out, were not in the market for new signings on Monday and, as expected, were solely interested in edging their excess players away from Elland Road.

Gary McAllister had alluded several times to the need to address his heavy wage bill and the lack of movement at Thorp Arch was not a surprise. Nor was it much of a disappointment.

It has never been fashionable to sit idly on deadline day, but there is less dignity or order to be found in urgent attempts to sign players.

Leeds had the time and – perhaps – the money to negotiate a late deal or two, but the justification for doing so would have been scant. New arrivals would have left McAllister looking like the dog with the bone in Aesop's fable.

There is a valid argument which says Leeds are short of alternatives in attack – and we will all watch Dougie Freedman's time at Southend United with interest – but there is no other area of McAllister's squad which could be legitimately described as weak.

Adding to that flock unnecessarily would have shirked the job of making the best of the players already available.

The range of personnel open to United's manager is a crucial trump card and the fundamental reason why Leeds should match, if not set, League One's pace this season.

It is also the reason why their league results so far do not deserve ridiculously harsh scrutiny.

Successful teams take time to evolve and the one conclusion which can be reached a month into the season is that McAllister is still to discover his most effective and consistent line-up.

A squad as big as United's is an undoubted blessing, but there are times when that blessing can be mixed.

McAllister is in the process of resolving his defensive line and seems content with the partnership of Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio in attack, but the combination of midfielders most suited to League One is taking time to show itself.

Pre-season was an initial opportunity for McAllister to formulate a reliable line-up but it was inevitable that his thinking would be altered by competitive football.

United's defeat of FCV Dender, for example, was instantly impressive but, at the risk of being cynical, the Belgians' attitude was not that of a committed team.

There is no question that McAllister learned more from the win at Scunthorpe United, just as he will have done during the uninspired results against Oldham Athletic, Yeovil Town and Bristol Rovers.

All four matches reiterated the need for understanding and patience.