Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has revealed that Amad Diallo "is near" to signing a new deal with the club, while an extension in Harry Maguire's contract is set to be activated.
As of January 1, the duo have been free to enter into discussions with foreign clubs over a pre-contract, with Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton also in the same situation.
However, Amorim, speaking during Friday's press conference, said that Amad "is near" to penning a fresh deal, while Maguire's contract is set to be extended until the summer of 2026.
"Amad is near, Harry Maguire we are going to trigger our option. I spoke with him [Harry] this morning and I told him he has to improve on the pitch, we need him a lot," the Portuguese told reporters.
"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. 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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New deal for Amad "near" while Maguire's contract is to be extended
Maguire has made 16 appearances for Man United this season, scoring once, and he has now started and finished each of his side's last four Premier League matches, with the Englishman in favour under Amorim.
Amad, meanwhile, has been one of the team's standout performers this term, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 27 appearances in all competitions.
There had been speculation surrounding the 22-year-old's future due to his slow start to his Man United career, but he has now developed into a vital player for the English giants during a difficult period in their history.
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Man United looking to bounce back from four straight losses at Liverpool
Maguire and Amad are again set to be in the Man United squad for Sunday's Premier League clash against Liverpool, where the Red Devils will be aiming to bounce back from four straight defeats in all competitions.
The 20-time English champions have dropped down to 14th spot in the Premier League table due to their recent struggles and will head to Anfield off the back of three straight league losses to Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United.
"We had more time to train, two days in a row, to train with the team. I think that can help us, given the environment. Of course, it's a difficult moment because we are losing too many matches," Amorim told reporters.
"We are going to face the best team this year but, like I said, we are training. We feel more the team, we prepare more the team and we want to improve the performance compared to the last game.
"Everything (has been worked on). The small things, the transitions, I think you can see the lack of possession in the last game in the first half, the control of the game. Everybody was so anxious, so nervous.
"The crosses are really important, set-pieces. It's hard to say one thing. We work on a lot of things, but I think the possession, the way we control the tempo of the game, the understanding of where you should play was the main focus this week."
Man United will again be without Lindelof, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw through injury on Sunday, while Marcus Rashford is set to miss out due to his current situation and a recent illness.
Matt Law
