Rúben Amorim has opened up on the future of Harry Maguire ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League tie against Brighton.
After a superb 2-1 triumph over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, Manchester United return to Old Trafford for a challenging meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Rúben Amorim’s season has been far from straightforward, with setbacks against Brentford and Grimsby Town sparking questions about his long-term prospects at the club.
Yet United’s win at Anfield — their first in almost a decade and their second league victory on the bounce — has brought renewed confidence and momentum heading into this fixture.
Still, Brighton have consistently posed problems for United, and Amorim will be out to avenge last season’s 3-1 home defeat to Fabian Hürzler’s side.
Amorim faces questions about Maguire’s future
On Friday afternoon, Amorim conducted his usual pre-match press conference with local and national media. Amid the momentous win against Liverpool, the United head coach was asked about the future of centre-back Harry Maguire.
The defender has started just three of United’s eight Premier League fixtures so far this season, and his future has been a topic of intense debate amid his winning goal at Anfield.
Maguire’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season, and from 1 January 2026, he will be able to negotiate freely with other clubs, should he wish.
When asked about Maguire’s future on Friday afternoon, Amorim said he is happy with the player, but that he feels the right time to discuss his contract situation is not now, despite his importance to the club.
“We are really happy with Harry,” Amorim said. “It is not the time to talk about that again because that gives the idea that we are thinking so far away. We are really happy with Harry. He is a really important for us, but we need to focus on the next game.”
When pressed further on Maguire, Amorim replied, “It was good for him to play with three centre-backs, so sometimes you help players with the way you play. I am really pleased.
“He is not young, but he can learn a lot. He needs to be better with the ball. He is a massive player for us, and he needs to continue.”
Schmeichel calls for Maguire to be made captain
While Maguire has been instrumental in some of United’s biggest wins across the last 12 months, he has not played every game. However, former Reds goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has called for the ‘standout’ Englishman to be reinstated as club captain and play every fixture.
“I can’t praise him enough,” Schmeichel said following the win over Liverpool. “I want Harry Maguire to play every game. I want him to be the captain. He’s got all the attributes of a good Manchester United leader.
“He’s not the quickest, I’ll agree with that, and he’s got some trouble on the turn, but Man Utd have had defenders like that before. But what they always had next to them were quick players, and that’s what we don’t have at the moment.
“I think he should be the number one defender, and he can organise everybody. He talks to everybody and gives them confidence, and I think that is important.
“Somebody who stands out all the time and takes responsibility, because I think that has been a problem in this team.”
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