Manchester United recently returned from their pre-season tour of the USA and Paul Scholes thinks he has spotted one change ordered by Ruben Amorim this summer
Paul Scholes sitting on a sofa with one leg crossed over during an interview
Paul Scholes believes Ruben Amorim has cracked the fitness whip(Image: YouTube/The Overlap)
Paul Scholes suspects Ruben Amorim ordered his Manchester United players to report for pre-season fitter than how they finished the last Premier League campaign.
The legendary United midfielder kept a close eye on United's pre-season tour of the United States of America. He was able to watch the Red Devils win the Premier League Summer Series by beating West Ham United 2-1 and Bournemouth 4-1, before drawing 2-2 with Everton in their final match.
Amorim's side gave a strong account of themselves across the pond, but the Portuguese manager was not making any bold predictions after last season's disastrous showing. While Scholes did not get ahead of himself, he does believe the squad already look fitter and healthier than they did last year.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes said: "To be fair, I think they all looked a little bit fitter. I think it was a rule they had to come back in a certain condition by the looks of all of them.”
During a recent interview with ESPN, Amorim spoke about his determination to improve the culture of the club by raising standards in as many areas as possible. He said: "You know that this is my job. Everyone knows that.
"That looks like a small thing, but it's a big thing. I think we improved in even the medical department, the nutrition. We are so much better. What we eat, the way we behave on tour, on the pitch.
"The rules. I think everything is important. I know that [the players] are not kids and I don't treat the players like kids. But I think these small rules can help a group to be strong."
Diogo Dalot, Head Coach Ruben Amorim of Manchester United in action during a first team training session as part of their pre-season tour of the USA at Endeavor Health Performance Center on August 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
Scholes believes United players already look fitter and more dynamic
He also added: "I don’t treat the players as babies. If you don't train in the right way, I have footage to show you and I show you in front of everybody."
United have been busy in the transfer window this summer. They began by wrapping up a £62.5million deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, before signing young Paraguayan defender Diego Leon.
The Red Devils then embarked on a lengthy transfer saga to buy Bryan Mbeumo, which eventually ended with United signing him for a fee worth up to £71m, while Benjamin Sesko is also on the verge of moving to Old Trafford in a deal potentially totalling £73.7m. Scholes, meanwhile, also paid plenty of attention to Kobbie Mainoo's display in the USA.
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action during a first team training session as part of their pre-season tour of the USA on July 29, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
Mainoo's physical development and fitness was noticed by Scholes(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
The Carrington graduate's campaign last year was affected by numerous injuries. Scholes specifically identified the 20-year-old to say he looks "fitter" than he did last year, before challenging the England international to secure himself a place in Amorim's two-man midfield.
He added: "I think we spoke last year about, what they lack in the midfield is that controlling midfield player. I thought that was going to be him (Mainoo). It seems like it’s a little bit confused now. Can he be that midfielder again?
"Can he be that midfielder who can play in a two, but he’ll obviously need a lot of legs around him? Or, is he now one of the No. 10s? I’m just confused."