“From their last match, it is obvious that Ruben Amorim just needs one more player to complete his ideal squad. Man United are about to enter another era” – This is according to Paul Scholes as he believes Ruben Amorim’s ideal Manchester United starting XI is nearly complete, with just one key player yet to be added.

Manchester United has always been a club of extremes, so it’s fitting that a team recently fighting relegation managed to secure a well-earned draw at Anfield.

Ruben Amorim finally had time to work with his squad on the training ground, and that preparation showed in their performance. While Bruno Fernandes and Amorim differed on whether training was the key factor, the result was likely a combination of multiple elements. Amorim’s ideas are starting to resonate with the players, and the occasion itself brought out their best effort. While relying on the magnitude of fixtures for motivation is a concern, the manager’s growing influence is a promising sign.

Paul Scholes has observed that Amorim appears to be closing in on his strongest starting XI, with only one position left to address.

Scholes on United’s Best Line-Up

Since arriving at Old Trafford, Amorim has experimented heavily with rotation to assess his squad. However, he previously indicated that this would decrease over time, which recent matches have confirmed. A core group of players is now emerging, including Bruno Fernandes, André Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad, who have become fixtures in the lineup.

Paul Scholes noted that Manuel Ugarte has also become a crucial player, leaving only one position in the starting XI unsettled. However, Scholes believes this gap could be filled internally, rather than through new signings.

“Maybe Luke Shaw can slot in on the left, but if this group is fit, they should start,” Scholes remarked. “That’s the standard now, and they have to maintain it going forward. There’s no reason they can’t achieve that.”

Amorim’s Measured Approach

Despite the progress, Amorim remains cautious. His post-match comments made it clear that one strong performance won’t define his plans. The same group of players who struggled against Wolves and Bournemouth stepped up against Liverpool, which may leave Amorim questioning their consistency.

While Scholes believes the current lineup is United’s strongest, Amorim likely sees areas for improvement. For instance, although Mazraoui impressed against Liverpool, Amorim would ideally have more attacking options in the wing-back roles. Similarly, Rasmus Højlund’s hard work has yet to yield consistent results, underlining the need for reinforcement up front.

What is evident is that the squad has the talent required to compete. However, Amorim must foster a cultural shift in application and attitude to ensure this potential is realized consistently. While the strongest XI seems clear for now, additional signings and a renewed mentality remain critical for reaching the heights Amorim envisions.