Ruben Amorim told Harry Maguire it was a “no-brainer” to activate the one-year extension in his contract after learning the centre-back’s Old Trafford stay could be prolonged.

Amorim met with Maguire just over a week ago to tell him the club were going to take the option in his deal, which means he now has 18 months remaining on his contract. The 31-year-old has now started five games in a row under Amorim and is once again performing impressively at the heart of the defence, in a system he knows well from his England days under Gareth Southgate.

When confirming that United had taken the option in Maguire’s contract, Amorim also said he had told the defender that he had room to improve and that he had to improve his leadership, and that the challenge had been met against Liverpool and Arsenal.

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Maguire said that the message shows the standards being set by the head coach and that he relishes the chance to be a part of a new era.

"Yeah, he’s really demanding. Ruben said to me that when it came across to him that I had an option [to extend contract], he said it was a no-brainer for him,” he said.

"It’s given me confidence and belief that they want me at the club and part of this project.

"And I’m happy to be here. I want this club to be back fighting for titles and not fighting where we are in the table right now. We’ve got a long way to go. A good performance but we’ve got to go again Thursday."

Maguire missed training through illness on Friday when he was laid up in bed, but he was desperate to play at the Emirates and lasted 104 minutes before exhaustion finally got the better of him.

After finding some form last season, he is again playing well under the stewardship of Amorim. Maguire believes his first two seasons at Old Trafford were the gold standard in his career, but that he is nearing those levels once again after fighting back from a sudden drop in his levels in his third year at the club.

“I’m 31 now, coming up to 32 in a couple of months, but I’m getting back to that level,” he said. “I also think I was at that level last season as well, so it’s been 18 months now where I’d say I’ve been playing consistently well for this club again.

“There’s no doubt I had a tough year in my third season when Ralf [Rangnick] took over, I wasn’t at my best, I knew that, I knew I needed to find something to stay at this club because it demands high standards and I feel like I’ve found something. Mentally and physically I feel good.”