Bolt wants United trial

[Paul Marin]

Sprint star Bolt wants United trial
August 7, 2012
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By ESPN staff
It may or may not have been said with his tongue firmly in his cheek but Olympic sprint superstar Usain Bolt has called on Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to hand him a trial.


Bolt cemented his position as the fastest man on the planet when defending his Olympic 100m title on Sunday. The Jamaican has been musing about his next move, with a step up to 400m a possibility.

But he is not short of confidence and has often claimed he has the skill to make it as a footballer.

He is a huge United fan, has met Ferguson and the players in the past, and has put out a call for a trial.

"People think I am joking, but if Alex Ferguson called me up and said, 'OK let's do this, come and have a trial', it would be impossible for me to say no," Bolt is quoted as saying in the Sun.

"I would not take up the challenge if I didn't think I was good enough. I am a very accomplished player and know I could make a difference.

"I would be the fastest player in the team - but I can play as well."

He added: "I am in Britain for a few more days. If Alex Ferguson wants to give me a call he knows where I am."

[Paul Marin]

Now me memba why me did want Blake fi win

[Jangle]

...clown

[Peter R]

Bolt practising for his post-track career- comedy!

[Peter R]

He should ask Ben Johnson how far he got...

[Muadib]

yuh nuh hear deh man seh ah nuh joke ting..

mi concerned..

[Twan]

the GOLD medal mussi lick him inna im head last night!

[Paul Marin]

...clown

he he he...not bigga dan Bolt!!! Him is a real joker fi real. But hear me out...if Slurgie smart, him would give him a trial and try him in the reserves...every game would sell out. If he can make it there, then okay...but I doubt it.

[Jangle]

Too late for exhibition game. Season soon start. Yuh sign up yet?

[Paul Marin]

Too late for exhibition game. Season soon start. Yuh sign up yet?

maybe next year fi bolt. me don' have no time fi romp wid unu...mi wi play when bolt play fi unu

[Peter R]

Seriously, this could signal the end of his career as a sprinter... if he wants to be in Rio which he said he does he should not be side-tracked into some circus type freak show... after Rio he could do what he wants. He would still be young and (hopefully) rich enough to carry out his fantasies.

[Jangle]

I hope y 'll realize that this could be a savvy marketing move by Ambassador Bolt. Old Trafford sell off. Also both the Empire and Bolt arte sponsored by Hublot.

[Islandman]

Look to me like it is already a marketing move.

It Would be a real media draw if dem arrange a "trial" , den him can get back to serious business.

[Peter R]

...and hope to God he doesn't embarrass himself...

[Jangle]

Maudib it looks like yuh haffi bring me inna yuh "marketing" team. This is called cross marketing 101. Watch how Hublot jump into the act now.

Usain Bolt to get tryout with Manchester United

20 hours ago

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Usain Bolt reacts after competing in the Men's 200m Round 1 Heats in London. (Getty Images)LONDON – Usain Bolt will get the chance to fulfill one of his sporting dreams after being given a "trial" with English Premier League soccer club Manchester United.
Bolt discussed his love for soccer after his sensational performance in the men’s 100-meter final on Sunday, insisting he has the physical attributes to make it as a professional player.
United has responded by giving him the chance to prove his talents following the Olympics, with a source telling Yahoo! Sports that the Jamaican superstar will be invited to the team’s training base in Carrington, a suburb of Manchester.
"Just like everyone else, the players are huge fans of Bolt and have massive respect for him," the source said. "We would love to have him along. After he spoke about the club after the most-watched race in the world, it makes perfect sense.
"We would welcome him with open arms, and it would certainly make all the boys and the coaching staff pretty excited to meet him and see his skills. They would love to see what he has got with the ball."
United’s veteran defender Rio Ferdinand contacted Bolt through Twitter on Tuesday to offer congratulations on his Olympic record triumph in the 100 meters. "If you want that trial at Man Utd shout me," Ferdinand tweeted. "I’ll speak to the boss. Well done in 100m."
Bolt replied: "After the Olympics we work on that … lol … thanks man."
As it turns out, United’s marketing staff is already working on the trial. The primary incentive is not, perhaps surprisingly, the positive publicity that having pictures of Bolt in a United shirt would bring.

[ Related: Usain Bolt's legend grows after 100m victory ]

United and manager Sir Alex Ferguson are conscious of the value of keeping the team’s spirits high and go to extreme lengths to care for the players. Players can call a club employee at any time of day or night for assistance with even the most basic task.
Such an environment has helped United claim 12 out of the past 20 EPL titles. Inviting athletes from other sports to the training venue is seen as a helpful distraction.
"Think about it," the source said. "It would be the kind of thing that would give everyone a lift. We’ve done similar things before."
The move on United’s part is proof of Bolt’s remarkable worldwide appeal, which has only increased since his devastating surge past Yohan Blake and Justin Gatlin to clinch the gold last weekend.

[ Related: Bolt miffed about rules for Olympics athletes ]

Although Bolt's blistering speed would be a major advantage in soccer, it's unlikely that without years of training he can match the skill of United's stars – though he and the squad will have fun finding out.
Bolt insists he has the ability to play at the top level, even though soccer is not his strongest sport outside track. That distinction lies with cricket, with some in Jamaica believing Bolt could have had a career as an international standard player if he had not decided to stick with sprinting.