Manchester United have exercised a one-year extension in Harry Maguire’s contract, ensuring the £190,000-a-week defender remains at Old Trafford until 2026.
Head coach Ruben Amorim emphasised the team’s need for leadership, describing the squad as “starving for leaders.”
This decision comes 18 months after Maguire was stripped of the captaincy in favour of Bruno Fernandes under former manager Erik ten Hag.
Maguire’s Role in Manchester United’s Leadership Void
Speaking at Carrington, Amorim confirmed the club’s decision to retain Maguire while also urging the former captain to step up his contributions both on and off the pitch.
“I spoke with him this morning, and I told him he has to improve his game on the pitch. We need him a lot, and he also has to improve as a leader,” Amorim said.
Amorim highlighted Maguire’s struggles in recent years but expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back and help guide the team through challenging times.
“There are moments in a player’s career that are different, and I think he coped very well with his struggles. When you look at our team, we are starving for leaders on the pitch. He is a leader, but he has to improve that part and also improve our game.”
After falling out of favour last season, Maguire has seen somewhat of a resurgence under Amorim, becoming a regular starter and even reclaiming the captain’s armband during United’s dominant 4-0 victory over Everton in December.
🚨 BREAKING: Manchester United trigger one-year option to extend Harry Maguire’s contract until June 2026!
“We will trigger our option, we need Harry a lot”, says Rúben Amorim.
“He needs to improve as a leader because we are starving for leaders on the pitch”. pic.twitter.com/kABc1MLfAf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 3, 2025
Contract Extensions: Amad Diallo and Maguire Secured
Amorim also revealed that Amad Diallo is also close to finalising a new contract, securing another player who could have left on a free transfer in the summer.
“Amad is near, and Harry Maguire is going to trigger our option,” Amorim said.
"Amad [Diallo] is near and Maguire is going to trigger our option [of an extra year]"
Ruben Amorim reveals Manchester United will "happily trigger" option of an extra year in Harry Maguire's contract, highlighting his qualities as a leader in a team "starving for leaders" 📝 pic.twitter.com/19Pq5nS9Wy
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 3, 2025
Man United’s Struggles and Liverpool Test
United are in dire need of a turnaround, with the team being on a four-match losing streak across all competitions. Their next challenge comes against league leaders Liverpool, a team they haven’t defeated at Anfield in nine years.
“We know it is going to be a tough moment, a really different context for both teams,” Amorim admitted. “They had that strong base for long years, but we have worked this week to win the game.”
Amorim emphasised the importance of improving United’s performance in key moments, particularly avoiding lapses like those seen in the first 15 minutes of their recent defeat to Newcastle.
