Bastian Schweinsteiger always plays in wet socks for Manchester United because ‘they feel thinner’
World Cup winner follows fellow United star Ander Herrera in opening up about his bizarre pre-match rituals
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER has revealed that he likes to dip his socks in water before matches.
While most people wouldn't be able to think of many things worse than playing every 90 minutes in a pair of wet socks, the German says his bizarre pre-match ritual makes them "feel thinner".
He told the new section of Man United's website: "There is a reason why I do something – my socks. I like thin socks.
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"Sometimes, I have to prepare them wet so they become much more thin.
"I try to get a lot of feeling into my foot. It’s a thing I started to do seven or eight years ago and I still do it.
Schweinsteiger added that sometimes he brings his own socks to games or gets sponsor Adidas to make a pair especially.
He said: "Sometimes I bring my own socks or Adidas help me but, for example, if we have a game, I can do it on my own and also prepare my boots before the game.
"I do it on my own because it’s mine and I want to perform so it’s better to do it myself.
"I can feel it’s different. I have a different feeling when I touch the ball and when I run."
Schweinsteiger also shed light on the special relationship the club's players enjoy with Adidas.
He said: "Adidas created special shinpads for me and they are perfect; not big but they protect me.
"They are thin but protective and that’s good, especially when you have a lot of tackles and you feel different."
He added that a representative of the company is available 24/7 at the club's training ground and they take special care of him as a fellow German.
The World Cup winner said: "They are great and you can talk to them about everything.
"I have to say they are a German company [laughs] so that is why!
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"They try to do their best and really listen to your ideas.
"There is one person who is ready for us, 24 hours, and when you have anything you need to talk to them about, if you need different socks or something else, you just can call him up and ask him."
Schweinsteiger is the second player to speak to Kit Talk, after Ander Herrera.
In an equally bizarre interview, the Spaniard said he has worn the same shinpads ever since he was eight years old.