Frank Lampard has talked up the influence of Seamus Coleman at Everton, describing him as 'one of the best people that he has met in football'.
Despite a slow start to the season, Lampard has engineered widespread improvements to his Toffees side, who currently possess the best defensive record in the Premier League.
As well as putting together a six-match unbeaten streak, Everton have recorded back-to-back victories over West Ham United and Southampton respectively.
One of the standout performers at St Mary's last weekend was Coleman, the 33-year-old making his first top-flight start of the season due to an injury to Nathan Patterson.
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The lack of game time has coincided with the Republic of Ireland international entering the final year of his contract, leaving his long-term future at Goodison Park in doubt.
At his pre-match press conference ahead of the showdown with Manchester United on Sunday evening, Lampard was asked about Coleman's future, admitting that he only had positive things to say about the club legend.
Speaking to reporters, Lampard said: "Considering the injury that he carried for games in the battle to the end of the season, which not many people knew about until he was really struggling, and then an operation, a break, then not many minutes to come in and play in the Premier League is a massive ask for anybody, let alone where Seamus is in his career.
"Everyone here knows what Seamus is to this club. If his performances levels are there and he wants to stay, there is no doubting that he knocks on my door and we will try to make it happen.
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"I also know Seamus to be the best man, one of the best people that I have worked with in this game. He'll also say the right things and do the right things. If it feels like he is contributing well for this club, he will want to stay here and help the cause. That is the sort of bloke he is.
"Seamus will know, and has to know, from us that whatever capacity that he wants to be at this club, he deserves whatever he wants."
Since joining the club in January 2009, Coleman has made a total of 386 appearances in all competitions, contributing 27 goals and 33 assists.
Coleman is expected to edge closer to the 400-mark when Everton welcome Man United to Merseyside with the opportunity to move ahead of their sixth-placed opponents in the standings.
Darren Plant
