Soccer player offers Bolt help getting tryout
8/8/2012LONDON -- Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has offered Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt help in getting a trial with the Premier League soccer club.
Ferdinand told the 100-meter gold medalist he would put in a good word with manager Alex Ferguson after Bolt said he would jump at the chance of playing for one of the most famous clubs in the world.
"zusainbolt if you want that trial at Man Utd shout me, I'll speak to the boss!! Well done in 100m, waiting for you to smash the 200m now!" the former England captain tweeted on Tuesday.
Bolt, the fastest man in the world, knows the United players after he took part in a sprint through Manchester's streets a few years ago and helped then-Manchester player Cristiano Ronaldo with his sprint training.
Bolt made his request after his 100-meter victory on Sunday, where he notched up the second fastest time ever, behind his own world record.
"People think I am joking when I say that I would like to play for Manchester United," he said. "But if Alex Ferguson called me up and said, 'OK, let's do this, come and have a trial and see if you are good enough' it would be impossible for me to say 'no'.
"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. "
Bolt warned Ferguson he will have to be quick though as the sprinter is only in Britain "for a few more days".
One United player, however, has jokingly suggested Bolt should stick to his day job.
"He'd obviously add a bit of speed to the team! But they are different sports. I think he's best staying on the track!" England striker Wayne Rooney was quoted as saying on Manchester United's Web site.