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Amorim has confirmed forward Amad Diallo is close to agreeing a contract extension with United. He also said the club would be triggering the option to extend former skipper Harry Maguire’s present deal to 2026.

Amad has been one of the best performers during Amorim’s 11-game stint in charge.

The highlight came when Amad scored the winner in last month’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.

The Ivorian’s present deal expires in the summer and, while United have the option to extend by a year, there has been negotiation over a deal that runs to 2029.

“Amad is near,” revealed Amorim.

Maguire had been made captain during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time at the club but was stripped of the honour by Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag, who gave the job to Fernandes instead.

The England defender resisted Ten Hag’s attempts to sell him to West Ham and eventually regained his place until injury ruled him out for the final part of last season, costing him an FA Cup final appearance and a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad at Euro 2024.

Maguire’s present contract is also due to expire in the summer.

However, while he confirmed Maguire is to remain at Old Trafford for an additional year, Amorim is also demanding more from the 31-year-old, having laid bare the lack of leaders in his squad.

“We are starving for leaders on the pitch,” said Amorim.

“I spoke with him and told him he has to improve his game on the pitch. He also has to improve as a leader.

“If you want to be a top team you have to be leaders and we have that in the dressing room but they have to step up.

“You can look at the table but you are still Manchester United so this gap and this pressure of a big club in a really low moment it’s hard to cope, so we need the guys who are more experienced to help the others.

“We all know the situation he had here, but we need him a lot and we are happily going to trigger the option.”