Joshua Zirkzee has folded a breathing drill from Lisandro Martinez into his pre-match routine, and he said Kobbie Mainoo is “the definition of calm.” Mainoo’s name came up as Zirkzee outlined how he prepares before games, while the United forward also tied the habit to the way he handles pressure.
Martinez’s breathing drill
Zirkzee said he does breathing work so he is focused, then listens to music, gets his prep done, visualises what can happen in the game and prays before kick-off. He said the breathing work came through Martinez, made him feel good, and became something he kept using.
“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,” he said.
He added: “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.”
Mainoo in the locker room
Zirkzee’s view of Mainoo was even sharper. Asked about a one-to-10 rating Mainoo gave himself, he replied: “One? Did he not? Kobbie is the definition of calm. You can’t put pressure on him.” He also said Mainoo brings good energy into the locker room whether he is playing or not.
That praise lands against the backdrop of a difficult season for Zirkzee. Manchester United finished third and secured Champions League football after a two-year absence, but he made 24 Premier League appearances, scored two goals and added one assist, with only five starts.
United minutes and wider stakes
Benjamin Sesko appears to be the undisputed starting striker, which has left Zirkzee’s place under pressure. A return to Italy has been mooted for him, with AC Milan, Juventus and AS Roma all mentioned as admirers.
The same interview also put Mainoo on a bigger stage. He is targeting a first World Cup start in England’s concluding group-stage encounter with Panama, while Zirkzee missed out on Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands World Cup squad. The contrast is stark: one player is trying to build on calm and routine, the other is trying to recover ground after a season of limited minutes.
