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Bolt angles for Manchester United trial

Bolt (Getty Images)

The world's fastest man thinks he can offer some assistance to one of the world's most storied soccer clubs.

Usain Bolt, who set an Olympic record in the 100-meter dash with his 9.63-second run on Sunday to capture his second straight gold medal in the event, claims that he could make a difference for Manchester United if given the opportunity for a trial, something that he is reportedly serious about taking on before he departs England after the conclusion of the Olympics.

"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," the 6-foot-5 Jamaican sprinter told The Sun (UK). "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. I am in Britain for a few more days. If Alex Ferguson wants to give me a call he knows where I am."

Manchester United centerback Rio Ferdinand offered his support via Twitter, telling Bolt, "If you want that trial at Man Utd shout me, I'll speak to the boss!!" Following Bolt's preliminary heat in the 200-meter dash on Tuesday, Ferdinand said, "u are jogging the 200m,this isn't fare (sic)! We'll put you upfront, just run behind defences + scholes will find you but #CanYouFinish."

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Would you want to see Bolt try his hand at professional soccer? What do you think about Bolt's comments? If it doesn't work out with Manchester United, should an MLS side step up and offer him a trial like Sporting Kansas City did for Chad Ochocinco last year?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I would love nothing more in the world than for Bolt to have a stint with my beloved United…That said, he would only be Dane Richards 2.O all speed, no brains.

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  2. I can see him as Robbie Findley 2.0…except a foot taller but with an equally poor ability to place the ball in the back of the net…

    …but he’s fast!

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  3. Hey now, you should be fair to Stoke. They don’t get players “off the street,” they get them “out of the pub for dockworkers.”

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  4. Pretty sure that’s because Puma has the contract with the Jamaican fed.

    Messi wears Nike kits all the time…doesn’t mean Adidas isn’t paying him serious money for commercials. You can flip it for Ronaldo.

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  5. If he’s serious, he can pay his dues like every other footballer in the world. Join a club and work through the ranks. No one should expect him to walk in off the street and make the first team at Manchester United, but I could see him fitting in with the reserves for a bit and working his way up as he learns the system.

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  6. The 2 second advantage that he’d gain would be wiped out just as quickly as he tries to figure out what to do once he’s on the ball.

    Still fun to think about. I personally think every team should have to play with one average joe off the street each game just to keep things entertaining. I think Stoke already employ this tactic.

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  7. On Man U Bolt would be roughly equal to Cobi Jones when he was with Coventry. Cobi could run all day but did not have the ability to dribble around a/an (your comedic prop here, but it’s usually an orange traffic cone).

    And at least Bolt would have the excuse that his main profession is not soccer.

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  8. It depends on the status of their relationship following independence. If Scotland maintains the Queen of England as their head of state then it will not change.

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  9. At a minimum he could be at least as good a quality player as Marvell Wynne. Wynne has very little soccer skill but his pure speed and athletic abilities enable him to compete at the professional level.

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  10. Uh, why don’t you look up everything that Bolt has done and then get back to us. Cocky on the track, amazing person in real life

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  11. I can’t stand this guy and his arrogance. I don’t get how people don’t like Lebron James, yet LBJ is humble (but confident) and is very given to communities and charities. This guy on the other hand is so full of himself and shows no respect for his opponents. I hope Nigel DeJong is somewhere near him in this trial (I know Dejong plays for another club, just saying).

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  12. so he could be back defending a corner and sprint to the other goal in ~9-10 seconds! I want to know what his time would be with a ball at his feet.

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  13. Good fun, like Carl Lewis as a wide receiver 🙂

    I just hope the trial video gets leaked so we can see him dust some defenders before shooting wide.

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