Manchester United are close to agreeing a new contract with Amad and will trigger the one-year option in Harry Maguire's contract.

Both players are out of contract in the summer but United have the option of an additional year on both deals. Amad, 22, is in line for an improved contract while Maguire's stay at the club will be extended until 2026.

Amad has emerged as United's talisman since Amorim was appointed as head coach last month and scored the winner in the Manchester derby three weeks ago.

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Amorim said last month Maguire is "perfect" for a back three set-up and the Portuguese remains committed to playing in a 3-4-3 formation.

"Amad is near," 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 in this moment so we are going to trigger happily the option for Harry."

Maguire, who was stripped of the United captaincy by former manager Erik ten Hag 18 months ago, regained the armband temporarily during the 4-0 victory over Everton at the start of December and donned the armband again in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Monday night.

Amorim believes United are "starved" of leaders. "It’s the thing, imagine Josh: there are moments in the career of a player that are different.

"He (Maguire) 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, he has ti improve his game, so we are happy to continue with Harry."