Ex-Man Utd star reveals Ruud van Nistelrooy had same pre-match superstition as Cristiano Ronaldo

A former Manchester United star has revealed the strange pre-match superstition that both Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo used to do before every game.

Both Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo are undoubtedly two of the greatest players to represent United in recent years.

With over 500 appearances and 195 goals between the strikers, the pair have gave a lot to the Red Devils during their time at Old Trafford.

And now, a former United star that played with both men has exclusively revealed that they each shared a strange superstition that they had to do before every match they played for the club.

Jose Kleberson spent two years at United between 2003 and 2005, crossing over with both Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo, and when asked about if any of his United teammates were superstitious, he revealed that the striker shared the same pre-match tradition.

Speaking exclusively to SPORTbible via the home of FUT coins, Kleberson said: "I know players would do some stuff, some would listen to music and some would pray. I know the guys in the Brazil national team were a lot more easy going.

"Ruud liked to have the ball at his feet before he went out on the field, he would like to juggle a bit and Ronaldo would also do the same. In a training session, Ruud would always do some skills before he went out on the pitch.

"Ronaldo would do some stuff when the ball was around, doing some skills, sometimes doing something funny."

The former Brazilian international then elaborated on how these superstitions compared to the changing room his national side, where he played alongside the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos.

Jose Kleberson signed for Manchester United in 2003 alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. (Image: Getty)

"You should have seen the Brazil changing room, it was the complete opposite to Man U," added Kleberson.

"They put on music, they danced, they juggled and did some freestyle with the ball. Everyone was laughing – it looked like they didn’t care about the game; they would just enjoy the moment. It was like a party!"

Kleberson made 30 appearances during his time at United and was part of the 2004 squad that won the FA Cup.

For Brazil, the midfielder earned 32 caps , winning both the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 Copa America with his countrymen.