McAllister will have Wembley as the backdrop for his 20th game as United's manager on Sunday.
And asked after the Whites semi-final win over Carlisle how qualifying for the play-off final ranked among his footballing achievements, McAllister said: "It's definitely up there, but it's not about me. It's about the players."
Bates' opinion of his manager has grown with each passing game.
"Gary's a natural manager and a natural leader," said Bates. "Those were the qualities we were looking for when we asked him to take over at a difficult time.
"He has his own opinion, but my understanding is that he's due a lot of the credit for the fact that we're in the play-off final.
"His leadership's been inspirational and being at Wembley is the result of a lot of hard work from everyone involved.
"Football club's don't rely on one or two people. The successful clubs are the ones where every single person plays their part. I like the way Gary goes about his job, there's no fuss and no drama. He gets on with it quietly and thoughtfully. I don't think he can be faulted.
"In the second leg against Carlisle, we not only won the game but we won it with style and a bit of class. The players are responsible for that but I do think it's a reflection of the manager as well. We've become a very good team."
And asked after the Whites semi-final win over Carlisle how qualifying for the play-off final ranked among his footballing achievements, McAllister said: "It's definitely up there, but it's not about me. It's about the players."
Bates' opinion of his manager has grown with each passing game.
"Gary's a natural manager and a natural leader," said Bates. "Those were the qualities we were looking for when we asked him to take over at a difficult time.
"He has his own opinion, but my understanding is that he's due a lot of the credit for the fact that we're in the play-off final.
"His leadership's been inspirational and being at Wembley is the result of a lot of hard work from everyone involved.
"Football club's don't rely on one or two people. The successful clubs are the ones where every single person plays their part. I like the way Gary goes about his job, there's no fuss and no drama. He gets on with it quietly and thoughtfully. I don't think he can be faulted.
"In the second leg against Carlisle, we not only won the game but we won it with style and a bit of class. The players are responsible for that but I do think it's a reflection of the manager as well. We've become a very good team."