Scholes initially kept his son’s diagnosis secret during his playing career and revealed he was dropped by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson while attempting to handle the situation privately.
“I never got a break from it, even when playing – it was very hard in those days,” Scholes, one of United’s key players in the 1999 Treble season, added.
“I don’t think they diagnosed it until he was two-and-a-half years old. But you knew early something was wrong, but then you get the diagnosis, and I’d never heard of it.
“I remember the first time after it, we were playing Derby away and I just didn’t want to be there.
“I remember the manager dropped me the week after, and I hadn’t told anyone. I ended up telling them a few weeks later, as it was quite hard.
“Even now, I don’t want sympathy or anything. I just thought, even if I did speak to someone about it, it’s not going to help Aiden.
“The big concern now is, because you’re getting a bit older, what happens when you’re not here? That’s the thing that’s now on my mind all the time.”
Autism spectrum disorder – its medical name – is the name for a range of conditions that affect how a person communicates and interacts with the world around them, as well as their interests and behaviour.
It is not a disease or an illness, but a condition that somebody is born with, and it is estimated that one in every 100 people in the UK is autistic.
With Chelsea visiting Old Trafford on Saturday, a trip to Brentford – where United have conceded four times on each of their last two visits – and encounters with Sunderland and then Liverpool at Anfield follow, making the chances of a significant upturn in fortunes in the short-term unlikely.
Scholes is not alone in believing United have no chance of reversing their fortunes unless Amorim changes his style, with all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney believing his old side have “got worse” under the Portuguese, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag last November.
“He cannot carry on playing this way, he just can’t,” said Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice in a 20-year career with the club.
“At some point there has to be a moment where he thinks, ‘I have to change something because what I am doing now is not working and I am not getting results’. The proof is there.
“I like Amorim, with everything he says, he seems to be a likeable man. But unfortunately results paint a picture.
“At this moment in time it isn’t good enough. At this moment in time if results don’t improve, performances don’t really matter that much. He has to win some games or the pressure is going to come on him massively.”
Following last season’s struggles, where United finished 15th in the league and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham, Amorim worked hard in the summer trying to create a harmonious dressing room culture.
While there are some within the United dressing room who are thought to be uneasy about the 40-year-old’s refusal to change his tactics, there is no sign of widespread discontent as yet.
The optimism around Amorim is not confined to the Old Trafford boardroom.
João Noronha Lopes, favourite to win the Benfica presidential election on 25 October, is thought to be keen on bringing him back to the club where he made his name as a player, making 154 appearances across six seasons.
Lopes was at Etihad Stadium for Sunday’s derby, where he was accompanied by Pedro Ferreira and Nuno Gomes, the former Portugal and Benfica forward, who is one of Amorim’s closest friends.
Speaking to Portuguese media before the group left for Manchester, Gomes spoke about the prospect of hiring him.
“I can’t answer that question,” he said. “Ruben Amorim is the coach of Manchester United.
“But one thing I do know, Ruben Amorim will be the coach of Benfica one day.”
Man United: Paul Scholes stopped commentary work to care for son
Scholes initially kept his son’s diagnosis secret during his playing career and revealed he was dropped by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson while attempting to handle the situation privately.
“I never got a break from it, even when playing – it was very hard in those days,” Scholes, one of United’s key players in the 1999 Treble season, added.
“I don’t think they diagnosed it until he was two-and-a-half years old. But you knew early something was wrong, but then you get the diagnosis, and I’d never heard of it.
“I remember the first time after it, we were playing Derby away and I just didn’t want to be there.
“I remember the manager dropped me the week after, and I hadn’t told anyone. I ended up telling them a few weeks later, as it was quite hard.
“Even now, I don’t want sympathy or anything. I just thought, even if I did speak to someone about it, it’s not going to help Aiden.
“The big concern now is, because you’re getting a bit older, what happens when you’re not here? That’s the thing that’s now on my mind all the time.”
Autism spectrum disorder – its medical name – is the name for a range of conditions that affect how a person communicates and interacts with the world around them, as well as their interests and behaviour.
It is not a disease or an illness, but a condition that somebody is born with, and it is estimated that one in every 100 people in the UK is autistic.
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Meet Man Utd wonderkid, 17, dubbed ‘cheat code’ and ‘mix of David Beckham & Paul Scholes’ giving Amorim food for thought
MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid Jim Thwaites has been hailed as a “cheat code” by fans.
The youngster has been added to first-team training by manager Ruben Amorim.
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Thwaites, 17, plays in central midfield and has already seen comparisons to United legends David Beckham and Paul Scholes.
Reports have claimed that he trained with United’s senior players on Friday.
This came following his brilliant performances in the youth sides so far this season.
It is claimed that he is viewed as one of the most technically good players in the academy.
It is added that Amorim and his coaching staff have been impressed in the sessions he has had with the first team.
Thwaites has also been likened to Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri with his ball skills.
This is extended to his passing vision as he often breaks defensive lines with his through balls.
The midfielder also possesses plenty of ability in carrying the ball forward up the pitch.
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There is said to be some hope among the coaching staff that he can continue to impress and get an opportunity in the first team this season.
Thwaites has made 48 appearances across the United U18s and U21s, scoring 12 goals and assisting four times.
He was a part of the U18s side that won their age category Premier League in the 2023/2024 season.
Videos of his performances have started to flood social media, leaving plenty of fans optimistic over his potential.
Clips of his matches showed he was comfortable on the ball and able to beat opposition presses multiple times.
One fan posted: “Jim Thwaites is a first-phase cheat code.
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“Press him at any speed, from any angle, he will find a solution and move his team up the pitch.”
A second wrote: “This is more of what we need in our midfield.”
A third commented: “I am always happy watching this boy play, very good player.”
A fourth said: “They not ready for this Michael Carrick regen.”
Another added: “Like Scholes and Beckham wrapped into one.”
Thwaites appeared for United in the pre-season 1-0 defeat to ASEAN All-Stars and left a good impression on Amorim.
The manager suggested that there would be “space” in the squad for players like the teenager.
He said: “I think Jimmy [Thwaites], in the last 15 minutes, as a midfielder, he wants to play.
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“It doesn’t matter how many minutes. These kind of young kids are really important. They will have space in our team.”
Meanwhile, United will be itching to get back on the pitch to try and keep the momentum after beating Sunderland before the international break.
Their first match will be away at Anfield against the reigning Prem champions Liverpool.
This will then be followed by clashes with Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest.
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Manchester United: Paul Scholes says ‘quality not there’ in Ruben Amorim’s side
With Chelsea visiting Old Trafford on Saturday, a trip to Brentford – where United have conceded four times on each of their last two visits – and encounters with Sunderland and then Liverpool at Anfield follow, making the chances of a significant upturn in fortunes in the short-term unlikely.
Scholes is not alone in believing United have no chance of reversing their fortunes unless Amorim changes his style, with all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney believing his old side have “got worse” under the Portuguese, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag last November.
“He cannot carry on playing this way, he just can’t,” said Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice in a 20-year career with the club.
“At some point there has to be a moment where he thinks, ‘I have to change something because what I am doing now is not working and I am not getting results’. The proof is there.
“I like Amorim, with everything he says, he seems to be a likeable man. But unfortunately results paint a picture.
“At this moment in time it isn’t good enough. At this moment in time if results don’t improve, performances don’t really matter that much. He has to win some games or the pressure is going to come on him massively.”
Following last season’s struggles, where United finished 15th in the league and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham, Amorim worked hard in the summer trying to create a harmonious dressing room culture.
While there are some within the United dressing room who are thought to be uneasy about the 40-year-old’s refusal to change his tactics, there is no sign of widespread discontent as yet.
The optimism around Amorim is not confined to the Old Trafford boardroom.
João Noronha Lopes, favourite to win the Benfica presidential election on 25 October, is thought to be keen on bringing him back to the club where he made his name as a player, making 154 appearances across six seasons.
Lopes was at Etihad Stadium for Sunday’s derby, where he was accompanied by Pedro Ferreira and Nuno Gomes, the former Portugal and Benfica forward, who is one of Amorim’s closest friends.
Speaking to Portuguese media before the group left for Manchester, Gomes spoke about the prospect of hiring him.
“I can’t answer that question,” he said. “Ruben Amorim is the coach of Manchester United.
“But one thing I do know, Ruben Amorim will be the coach of Benfica one day.”
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