Ruben Amorim has revealed there is currently “no decision”
on the contract situations of Harry Maguire and Casemiro.
Maguire's current deal runs until summer, having had a one-year option triggered at the beginning of this year, and Casemiro's contract also expires at the same point, albeit the Brazilian has an optional year still available to the club.
The pair have been crucial to the first team under Amorim, despite Maguire being forced to the sidelines in recent weeks with an injury.
Given their contributions so far this season, Ruben was asked whether any decision had been made on their futures at this stage, in his pre-match press conference previewing Newcastle United's visit to Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
“No, there is no decision,”
Amorim confirmed to journalists. “We have a lot to do.
”We need to understand what is going to happen in the next season, because we need to understand if there is European games.
“I'm really happy with them, but I don't know what is going to happen, so we'll see what is going to happen until the end of the season, what position we will be, and then we'll see.”
The turn of the year is not only an important point in the calendar for preliminary thoughts about contracts, but also for the opening of the January transfer window.
We're nearing January with all of Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt and Maguire out injured, with Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui also away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Amorim was asked whether he'd be disappointed if we got to the end of the upcoming window without strengthening the squad, in light of those absences.
“No,”
he replied. “Of course, we are struggling in this moment, but the club, we have a plan.
”I think if we have the opportunity to bring a player that we think is going to be the future of the club, he's going to come.
“If not, we have Jack [Fletcher], we have Shea [Lacey]. In three weeks, we'll have Amad, Nous, Bryan, the return of Bruno, Kobbie, so we'll see.”
Rather than banking on short-term solutions to fix problems, the head coach instead appears keen to make the most of the situation as it currently stands.
“When I look at the team, I think when we have a full squad, I need to take more quality from that group,”
he continued. “So, I'm focused on that.
”If we can bring someone good [we will sign in January], if not, we'll spend money in the summer, I think.“