Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Manchester United will trigger the one-year option in Harry Maguire's contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2026.

Maguire's contract was up at the end of this season and he was free to speak to foreign clubs during this window, with Napoli and Fenerbahce reportedly interested.

The centre-back has started five of United's last six league games, though the Red Devils have won only one of those matches.

However, Amorim sees the 31-year-old as a key player, at least in the immediate term.

"We are happy to continue with Harry," said Amorim.

"We will trigger our option. He needs to improve as a leader because we are starving for leaders on the pitch."

Maguire has struggled at times since joining United for a record-breaking fee from Leicester City in 2019, having been stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag.

Amorim, though, hailed the defender for managing to overcome those difficulties.

He said: "It is the same as Joshua [Zirkzee], there are moments in the career of a player that are different and I think he coped very well with his struggles and when you look at our team. He is a leader, he has to improve that part and he has to improve our game."

Amorim also said United will attempt to reinforce their squad in the January transfer window.

He said: "I will keep that to myself. We will try to do something."