Kobbie Mainoo has revealed he will not be following some of his England team-mates by trying pickle juice to treat cramp at Euro 2024.
In the closing stages of England’s 1-0 win against Serbia on Sunday night, Kieran Trippier was seen consuming a mystery drink on the sidelines after receiving treatment from the medical staff.
In the aftermath of the incident, Trippier was falsely accused of doping by some fans, but it has since emerged that he was actually given one sachet of pickle juice and another containing a high-carb drink known as ‘fuel bomb’. The Three Lions’ camp has stocked up on pickle juice for the Euro 2024 campaign because the drink has properties to help combat cramp. It has been found to stop cramping up to ’40 per cent faster than drinking water’.
Despite these statistics, Mainoo doesn’t seem convinced, and has insisted he will be steering clear of the juice dubbed England’s ‘magic potion’.
‘I’ve not tried pickle juice,’ Mainoo said at a press conference on Tuesday. ‘I didn’t know that was a cramp fix. I’m not doing it!’
Kieran Trippier was seen consuming a mystery drink during England’s win over Serbia
It has been revealed that it was pickle juice, which England players have been using to treat cramp
Mainoo made his major tournament debut for England as a late substitute on Sunday, and has described it as a ‘dream’ to play for his country after a meteoric rise at Old Trafford last season.
WHAT GOOD DOES PICKLE JUICE DO?
Pickle juice has been a secret weapon of athletes for years, but recent exposure in the Premier League and Australian Open has brought it into the limelight.
The briny liquid has many health benefits, according to wellbeing website Healthline.
These include: soothing muscle cramps, hydration, controlling blood sugar, preventing gut problems, and replacing electrolytes lost during exercise.
However drinking too much is a very bad idea – it is extremely salty, after all – with Healthline recommending just 1/3 of a cup to treat cramp; hence the tiny bottle Lucas Torreira drank from.
But the campaign started disastrously after he missed the first few months through injury. Reflecting on how he coped during his time away from the pitch, Mainoo admitted he was determined to come back better than ever.
‘[My injury] was a tough one to take,’ he said. ‘It took me a day or two to sink in.
‘From then it was focusing on getting back and trusting the process and medical team so that I would be in a better shape and position to be back.’
Mainoo was speaking a week on from confirmation that United will be sticking with Erik ten Hag after an end-of-season review, and the 19-year-old revealed his delight with the decision.
‘I’m happy to be building with him, got two trophies, hopefully there’s more to come,’ he added. [It gives] peace of mind to know what manager we have when we return.
‘I’m so grateful for him, he put so much trust in me to play in the team. I can’t thank him enough.’
The teenage star will recognise another familiar when England return to action on Thursday against Denmark in Frankfurt.
United striker Rasmus Hojlund is set to lead the lines for the Danes, and although Mainoo considers him a ‘really good friend’ he is adamant any conversations between the pair will wait until after the game.
Mainoo hailed Man United manager Erik ten Hag following confirmation he will be staying at Old Trafford
Mainoo (second right) revealed he will not be speaking to ‘really good friend’ Rasmus Hojlund (right) before England’s game against Denmark on Thursday
‘I’ve not spoke to him recently, but I’ll leave that for after the game. I’m focused on here and maybe after the game I’ll speak to him,’ Mainoo said.
‘He’s a really good friend, it’s good to have them relationships on the pitch and off the pitch.’
