Maguire gets a one-year extension but Amorim expects more from him as far as leadership on the field is concerned.
Maguire gets an extension on his contract for a year as reward for his performances.
Harry Maguire’s one-year option will be activated “happily,” according to Ruben Amorim, but the former captain has been cautioned to strengthen his leadership and play in order to help Manchester United improve their dismal performance.
Amad Diallo, one of United’s top performers this season, is on the verge of signing fresh terms with the team, according to the head coach. “Amad is close,” Amorim declared.
Maguire, who paid £80 million to move from Leicester in 2019, fits well with Amorim’s back-three lineup. The 31-year-old’s contract was extended by one year, until June 2026, marking a significant change in his circumstances after Erik ten Hag deprives him of the captaincy in the summer of 2023 and he nearly joins West Ham.
Amorim said: “Harry Maguire, [we are] going to trigger our option. I spoke with him this morning and I told him that he has to improve his game on the pitch. We need him a lot and also he has to improve as a leader, because we all know the situation that he had here. But we need him a lot at this moment, so we are going to happily trigger the option for Harry.”
When Bruno Fernandes was suspended and Lisandro Martínez took over as captain at the 65-minute mark of Monday’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle at Old Trafford, Maguire was given the armband. Amorim commended Maguire for overcoming adversity and emphasised the urgent necessity for on-field leaders.
“He coped very well with his struggles,” he said. “There are moments in the career of a player that are different. 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, he has to improve his game, so we are happy to continue with Harry.”