Man Utd staff swiftly ditched a tailored fitness programme for Bruno Fernandes after the star's impressive physical test results.
Fernandes joined up with the United squad at a warm-weather training camp in Marbella immediately after completing his January transfer from Sporting Lisbon.
United went on their winter break shortly after the star's debut against Wolves , and the plan was to use the period to bring Fernandes up to speed before gradually integrating him into first-team sessions.
The Metro report United's conditioning department had produced a specific programme for Fernandes to follow, but scrapped it once they realised he was in "immaculate" condition.
Fernandes completed a series of physical tests, along with the rest of the squad, and ranked among the top three players.
And it wasn't just the midfielder's conditioning that impressed out in Spain, as United's players were "blown away" by the talent of their new acquisition.
Fernandes displayed his quality in warm-up drills, where United staff were in awe of his quick decision-making and pass selection.
The 25-year-old also demonstrated a keen work ethic, staying behind in training each day to practice free-kicks with teammate Fred.
United were initially concerned Fernandes may be slow to adapt to the fast pace of the Premier League after coming from Portugal.
But those fears have be allayed already, with the star playing a key role and providing two goals and two assists.
He has also been praised for his evident leadership skills, while gaining plaudits from former United legends.
"He’s come in and he’s been a breath of fresh air," Rio Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel . "There’s no heirs and graces and he looks like he’s come in and is someone who wants to play football and enjoys his football.
"He’s somebody who is going to have an impact and have an influence on other people it seems. He’s come in and I’m seeing improvements in other people’s performances."
While fellow ex-United great Paul Scholes told BT Sport: "The fact that nobody has been talking about [Paul] Pogba coming back into the team in the last few weeks speaks volumes for what Fernandes has brought to the team."
