Zirkzee credits teammate for game-changing ritual that’s transformed his match preparations

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has revealed that a tip from Lisandro Martinez completely overhauled his pre-match routine. Zirkzee also opened up on the one attribute that sets Kobbie Mainoo apart. Frustrating season While the 2025/26 season was a positive one for United, having finished third and securing Champions League football after a two-year absence, it was slightly disappointing on an individual level for Zirkzee. The forward struggled for regular minutes under both Ruben Amorim and successor Michael Carrick. Zirkzee made 24 Premier League appearances, contributing two goals and one assist. He was named in the starting XI just five times. Benjamin Sesko, who arrived at Old Trafford last summer from RB Leipzig, appears to be the undisputed starting striker. This has led to speculation that Zirkzee could be on his way out in the ongoing window. A return to Italy has been mooted for the Dutchman, who missed out on a place in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands World Cup squad. AC Milan have been mentioned to be admirers of Zirkzee, while there has also been interest from Juventus and AS Roma. Zirkzee spoke to club media and broke down his pre-match routine, including a transformative habit that he picked up from Martinez. Zirkzee’s remarks The 25-year-old said, “I do some breathing work, so that I am focused. I listen to some music, get my prep done. While listening to music, I try to visualise what can happen in the game. And then what Kobbie says, just bringing good energy into the locker room, whether you’re playing or not.” “That’s my routine. Then I pray before a game. Because it’s something so standard, I wouldn’t call it part of my routine; it’s just in the system already.” He added, “I came across it [the breathing work] through Licha actually. It made me feel good, so I figured why not do it before a game? I think it’s always good to have a routine. I made it part of my routine and just stuck by it ever since.” Zirkzee pinpointed Mainoo’s calm nature as an attribute that sets him apart from most other players. Asked which rating Mainoo gave himself from one to 10, with one being calm and 10 nervous, Zirkzee answered, “One? Did he not? Kobbie is the definition of calm. You can’t put pressure on him.” Such poise will bode well for Mainoo, who is targeting a first World Cup start in England’s concluding group-stage encounter with Panama. Featured image by Molly Darlington/Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!