Kobbie Mainoo reveals he eats the same exact meal before every Man Utd and England match

Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo gave an insight into his pre-match meal after being asked about superstitions and rituals during a Q&A session.

Superstitions are common practice in English football, with several players revealing that they cannot play a match without doing the same rituals before every time.

One of the most famous examples is Manchester City and England full-back Kyle Walker, who has worn the same pair of shin pads for 14 years.

Luke Shaw has a similar ritual which includes wearing the same item of clothing in every match he plays – a pair of socks with his son’s face on them.

Even past England legends have superstitions, with Gary Neville revealing on the Football, Music and Me podcast that he’d wear a pair of lucky white underpants for every match or else he would feel unprepared to play.

Last year, the talented Kobbie Mainoo revealed his own superstition ahead of Euro 2024.

Speaking on the Lions’ Den series, Mainoo said that he while he tries to stay away from superstitions and changes his routine before every game, there is one thing he must do.

The 19-year-old revealed that before every match for Manchester United or England he eats the same meal – pesto pasta and salmon.

In a fan Q&A on Manchester United’s official website, Mainoo gave a further insight into his pre-match rituals.

“I mean, I’m not very superstitious. I try not to be superstitious. So I just kind of do what happens,” he said. “I have the same meal and that’s about it. I have pesto, pasta and salmon but, other than that, I just kind of do what I do.

“It’s not whether I’m not wearing the same underwear. I don’t have a lucky pair of underpants or anything like that. I just, you know, try to prepare what I do, listen to music.”

Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United is unclear at present. Image credit: Getty

In the Q&A, Mainoo also discussed what he listens to ahead of games.

“I like Drake at the moment. A lot of old Drake stuff, like the slower stuff. The more chilled stuff before a game,” he said. “I don’t really like to get hyped before games. I like to just relax.”