Ruben confident Amad will sign new deal

The Ivory Coast international is in outstanding form, and set up two of the goals in Sunday's 4-0 victory over Everton.

As his present deal runs until next summer, but with the club holding the option of a further year, there has been some talk around his contractual situation.

However, head coach Ruben Amorim is relaxed about the matter, as he fielded a question on the subject during his press conference to preview Wednesday's Premier League trip to Arsenal.

“I think he wants to stay and we want him to stay," stated Amorim. "So that is clear and we will find a solution.”

Amad has been used as a right wing-back under Amorim but is also an option for a more advanced role, behind the centre-forward. He told the upcoming edition of Inside United that he is happy to play anywhere for the Reds, even telling the head coach that he would don the gloves and go in goal for him!

Although surely never going that far, our no.16's versatility is something that greatly appeals to the head coach.

"I think that’s one of the great advantages of Amad," added the Portuguese. "He's very good for me. He’s very good playing in that position, but also playing between the lines, because he has a good control and he seems faster with the ball than without the ball, so it's something that he has and he’s capable of playing in both positions and he can play in different systems.

"So, in the future, we will play in a different system, maybe. So he is that kind of player that we need in the team.”

Later in the briefing, Amorim was pushed on why he has elected to play Amad in a more defensive position, and as a top choice for the right wing-back role.

“Because of his left foot," he replied. "Sometimes in that position, the way he receives the ball, if you are right-footed, sometimes you don't have the space to come inside.

"But we have, for example, [Noussair] Mazraoui and Diallo can go inside because they are fast and strong with the ball. But we chose Amad to have one against one outside.

"And that is very important to break some pressures and especially high pressures," added Amorim. "He has that ability and then, in that position, you need to have a good physicality.

"When you say good physicality, it's not the size obviously, but he can run and that is a key point in that position. So you try to choose players that you can put in that position and then the technical characteristics and that is perfect for him.”

Amad will be hoping to continue his impressive run of form in the tough test at the Emirates Stadium, which kicks off at 20:15 GMT.

A last chance to take advantage of Extra-Time Tuesday at the United Store!