Howson's two goals at Brunton Park on Thursday night eliminated Carlisle from the League One play-offs and secured United's place in the final at Wembley, but Abbott admitted the youngster's career had almost been furthered away from Elland Road.

The 44-year-old was a member of United's youth-team staff until 2006, when he left to take up the post of assistant manager at Brunton Park, and he recalled the frank discussions which were held over Howson's future three years ago.

Abbott was able to draw a degree of satisfaction from the midfielder's decisive performance on Thursday after claiming it was his insistence that helped keep him in Leeds three years ago.

Abbott told the YEP: "Jonny was a player that Leeds wanted to release.

"The jury was out on him and there was doubt over whether or not to put him on a scholarship. They were saying he was too small, that he couldn't do this and couldn't do that, and there was serious talk about letting him go.

"I said no way to that because I could see the lad had talent. He was a player with genuine ability and all he needed was time to develop his strength and improve his physique.

"Howson scored two goals against us and I sort of think 'that's down partly to my bloody good work'. Good luck to him because he's done fantastically well.

"Football's a journey and he was part of my journey in the game. He's come out on top to my detriment and he's hurt me. But seeing him do that still gives me a little bit of satisfaction."

Howson grasped the headlines at Brunton Park with a well-taken goal in the 10th minute and a decisive finish in the first minute of injury-time, condemning Carlisle to a 3-2 aggregate defeat at the end of an tense and enthralling semi-final.

The 19-year-old has become a fixture in the first team at Elland Road under Gary McAllister this season, and Abbott expects Howson's emergence to continue at an eye-catching rate during the coming seasons.
"I helped to nurture Jonny and look after him, and it gives me pleasure seeing a lad like him coming through," said Abbott.

"I had arguments with his family and certainly his dad – nice arguments, I should say, and the right sort of arguments – about whether I was looking after him in the right way. But I always felt he would reach this level and beyond.

"We're starting to see a very good footballer who's going to have a very good career in the game for many years to come."