The Irish midfielder has been in top form for the new Tannadice boss in his first two games in charge, playing a big part in securing back-to-back wins over Rangers and Hearts.
The former Celtic and Manchester City’s man’s current deal is due to expire in the summer, and McNamara is understandably keen not to lose him.
So when manager and chairman have their next meeting, the future of Flood will be on the agenda.
McNamara said: “Willo has been excellent in my two games. He’s been everywhere on the park and he deservedly got a fantastic goal on Saturday.
“He’s very important in our dressing room and has a good influence on the place. He’s well respected by the boys for that and for what he does on the pitch on a Saturday.
“Of course I’d like to keep him here beyond the summer and hopefully we can sit down, sort it out, and that can be done.
“This is only my second full week in the job and I need to sit down with my chairman because there are a lot of things to sort out for next season.
“Obviously Willo and a few others who are out of contract will be on the agenda.”The Irish midfielder has been in top form for the new Tannadice boss in his first two games in charge, playing a big part in securing back-to-back wins over Rangers and Hearts.
The former Celtic and Manchester City’s man’s current deal is due to expire in the summer, and McNamara is understandably keen not to lose him.
So when manager and chairman have their next meeting, the future of Flood will be on the agenda.
McNamara said: “Willo has been excellent in my two games. He’s been everywhere on the park and he deservedly got a fantastic goal on Saturday.
“He’s very important in our dressing room and has a good influence on the place. He’s well respected by the boys for that and for what he does on the pitch on a Saturday.
“Of course I’d like to keep him here beyond the summer and hopefully we can sit down, sort it out, and that can be done.
“This is only my second full week in the job and I need to sit down with my chairman because there are a lot of things to sort out for next season. Obviously Willo and a few others who are out of contract will be on the agenda.”
Flood hasn’t been the only United player to catch McNamara’s eye in his first fortnight in the job. Far from it.
He noted: “I’d seen United play but I didn’t know what the players’ characters were like or their mental toughness.
“I’ve been really impressed with all of them really in that respect, from the goalkeeper, who has done very well, upwards. They’re good characters who work hard for the team and seem to get on with each other well.”
Two home wins in a row for months United struggled to get one certainly haven’t hurt morale.
“It’s good for the players to get another win to build confidence,” McNamara pointed out. The game wasn’t helped by the sending off but the important thing was we went on to win it.
“Sometimes it can be difficult to handle playing against 10 men, but we dealt with it well. It was important for the players and the fans to get another win at Tannadice because you don’t want it to become a hindrance playing at home.”
Next up are Celtic, and McNamara will be in the Celtic Park main stand to check out Saturday’s opponents in their Champions League last 16 clash with Juventus.
He said: “There’s an under-20 game I’d like to have gone to as well, but I think it’s important I go and watch the Celtic match. I know it’s a totally different game from ours with them on Saturday, but there are still things you can pick up.
“They’ve done really well this season to get as far as they have in the Champions League but we’ll prepare well this week and I’ll tell my players to go out and enjoy going up against them at the weekend and hopefully play the way we can.”
Meanwhile, Gavin Gunning and Jon Daly will be monitored this week after picking up knocks against Hearts.