Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that the club has set a one-year extension clause in Harry Maguire's contract.
The centre-back had entered the final six months of his current deal but recently revealed his happiness at early discussions about an extensiondescribing the situation as “positive”.
As those talks continue, united have opted to activate their extension clause to ensure Maguire cannot leave for free this summer.
“Harry Maguire, we will activate our option,” Amorim told the assembled media ahead of his side's Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
“I spoke to him this morning and I told him he needs to improve on the pitch, we really need him. Also, he needs to improve as a leader. We all know the situation he had here, but we really need him . at this point, so we'll happily enable the option for it.
“When you look at our team, we're starved for leaders on the pitch. He's a leader, he's got to improve that part, he's got to improve his game, so we're happy to move on.”
Amorim also confirmed that Amad Diallo is “close” to signing a new deal. The young striker's current contract runs until the summer but, like Maguire, United could extend a year if necessary.