Ruben Amorim has confirmed Manchester United will trigger their one-year option to extend Harry Maguire’s contract.
Maguire is due to be out of contract in the summer but Ruben Amorim confirmed the former club captain would be staying beyond the end of this season, while also adding that Amad Diallo is “near” to agreeing a new deal with the club.
“Amad is close,” Amorim said ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Liverpool, live on Sky Sports on Sunday.
“Harry, we are going to trigger our option. I spoke with him this morning and I told him he needs to improve his game on the pitch, we need him a lot. And also he needs to improve as a leader.
“We all know the situation he had here but we need him a lot in this moment so we are going to trigger, happily the option for Harry.”
Amorim: We are ‘starving’ for leaders
Maguire lost the United captaincy and fell down the pecking order under former manager Erik ten Hag – seemingly on his way out of the club – but has found a new lease of life under Amorim, who prefers to play with three central defenders.
Although Maguire did not take the armband for Monday’s 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle despite the absence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes, Amorim said his leadership qualities were key to the club.
“There are moments in the career of a player that are different,” Amorim added.
Harry Maguire joined Manchester United from Leicester City in 2019
“I think he coped very well with his struggles and when you look at our team, we are starving for leaders on the pitch.
“He is a leader, he has to improve that part and he has to improve our game and we are happy to continue with him.”
Maguire has made 222 appearances and scored 12 goals since joining United from Leicester City in 2019.
The central defender has won two major trophies in that time – the Carabao Cup in 2023, and last season’s FA Cup.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look back at Amad Diallo’s debut goal at Old Trafford against Newcastle.
Diallo, meanwhile, has been one of United’s better performers this season and has scored five goals, including a late winner in last month’s dramatic victory against rivals Manchester City.
The 22-year-old, who has had loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland, joined United from Atalanta in the summer of 2021.
Maguire: Amorim total opposite to Ten Hag
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says the squad have belief in new head coach Ruben Amorim and backs him to be a success because he is a ‘winner’.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News at the end of 2024, Maguire backed Amorim to turn United’s dismal season around, adding he felt Amorim’s job is much harder because he is the “total opposite” of Erik ten Hag, but has
Amorim has inherited a squad that Ten Hag built to play transitional, counter-attacking football, making them highly unsuitable for his philosophy, which puts an emphasis on possession and deploying a high line.
Amorim also has the added complication of preferring to play with three at the back, but Maguire said he has what it takes to overcome his tough start and drive the club up the table.
“The thing is with the managers and the styles, it is not like they have come in and they have similar styles,” Maguire told Sky Sports. “They are the total opposite in terms of what they want and what they demand.
“So the transition period is going to be tough. We all have great belief in the manager and all his coaching staff. I am sure things are going to turn around. He knows exactly what he needs to do to get this club back.
“He has come in and done everything he needs to do. He is really demanding.”
Transfer Centre LIVE! Deals, rumours, news on your phone 📱
The January transfer window is OPEN!
Follow all the latest deals, news and rumours on the ‘Transfers’ section of the Sky Sports app!
Looking for news about YOUR club? Find dedicated transfer pages for EVERY Premier League team.
