Manchester United will extend Harry Maguire’s contract because they are ‘starving for leaders on the pitch’.
The 31-year old had a contract that was set to expire this coming summer but it will now run until June 2026.
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Since signing from Leicester City in August 2019 for £80million – which was at the time a record transfer fee for a defender – Maguire has experienced many trials and tribulations.
Through his out of form moments to team struggles, Man United have rarely been settled during his time there.
Even now, Man United sit 14th in the Premier League with four losses on the bounce.
The England international has also experienced a lot of personal abuse due to sub-par performances in a United shirt, but he persisted through it.
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Maguire has made 222 appearances for the Red Devils, winning two trophies: the 2022/23 Carabao Cup and 2023/24 FA Cup.
Speaking at Friday’s press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Liverpool at Anfield, Amorim was asked about the centre-back’s future and challenged him to improve.
“We are going to trigger our option,” said the new United boss.
“I spoke with him [Maguire] this morning and I told him he has to improve on the pitch, we need him a lot.
“Also, he has to improve as a leader. We all know the situation that he had here but we need him a lot in this moment, so we are going to trigger, happily, the option for him.”
Asked if he is a key player, Ruben continued: “When you look at our team we are starving for leaders on the pitch. He is a leader, he has to improve that part, he has to improve his game, so we are happy to continue.”
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When Amorim was appointed as head coach following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, the future of Maguire was in the balance.
Especially when considering the other options the Portuguese manager would have at his disposal: Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt.
But, to the surprise of some, Maguire has played four consecutive 90 minute matches in the Premier League and appeared a total of seven times under the new manager.
Amorim’s appointment has certainly worked in his favour. The defender has displayed some of his best performances of his career in a back-three, most notably for England, and it’s a system Amorim swears by.
He has even worn the captain’s armband in absence of Bruno Fernandes.
Amorim also confirmed Amad Diallo, whose contract is set to expire June 2025 is ‘near’ a contract renewal.
