 The managerial appointment of Gary McAllister saw a greater emphasis placed on the club's younger players including Howson who became a regular towards the end of the season.Howson grew into his role and became more influential by the game, eventually captaining the side away to Millwall and becoming the club's youngest captain since Billy Bremner in doing so.After United narrowly missed out on an automatic promotion place, their play-off campaign would set the stage for one of Howson's finest games in a Leeds shirt.