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Ruben Amorim is quickly realising the scale of the challenge at Manchester United.
Earlier this month, Amorim warned fans that “the storm will come” after a 4-0 win over Everton.
That was the first of nine December fixtures.
Since then, United have lost five times.
One of the five, including a 2-0 defeat to Wolves.
United will look to end the year on a positive note against Newcastle on Monday before turning attention to transfers.
With the January window looming, Amorim is pushing for a left wing-back.
However, his first move may be extending a contract of a player who may well prove to be crucial in coming months.
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That player is Harry Maguire – a player to become hugely depended on by Amorim.
Maguire is out of contract in the summer and can negotiate with clubs from January.
Although United accepted a £30 million bid from West Ham in 2023, Amorim repeatedly wants to trigger a 12-month extension.
According to GiveMeSport, Amorim is “putting pressure” on the club to secure Maguire’s future and prevent interest from elsewhere.
The report adds that Amorim is “desperate” for Maguire to keep his future focus on United.
With Matthijs de Ligt sidelined, Maguire has started United’s last three Premier League games.
Amorim praised Maguire’s professionalism after the Wolves defeat, saying: “He works really well, he is focused on the job and not what people say.”
Maguire could captain United against Newcastle, reinforcing Amorim’s growing faith in the 31-year-old.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the manager is keen on Maguire.
The defender is known to be a specialist in a back three system, which Amorim has opted to stick with from his Sporting CP days.
His lack of pace and mobility is much protected alongside two centre-backs.
As opposed to a back four under Erik ten Hag, where Maguire was often exposed.
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