Usain Bolt is backing Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to topple Manchester City next season and insists he will not give up on his football dream.
City are 13 points clear of United at the top of the Premier League but missed the chance to wrap up the title on Saturday when Mourinho’s side came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Red Devils fan Bolt was asked at a press conference on Thursday at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games about United’s prospects for next season.
“I believe in Jose,” the eight-time Olympic champion said. “We have kept our heads so far, we have always played well against the top teams. Next season we’ll do better.
“It’s not like we’re doing extremely badly. We beat them (City) the other day and Liverpool beat them twice (in the Champions League). It’s one of those things. They had a good run and it worked out.”
Bolt has been training with Borussia Dortmund as he continues his drive to become a professional player after retiring from athletics last summer.
He said: “I’m very serious about playing football, I’m working with Dortmund and they are really helping me to work out where I am going.
“I’m not linked to Manchester United – yet.”
Bolt arrived on the Gold Coast after former Jamaica team-mate Yohan Blake finished third in Monday’s 100m final, which was won by South Africa’s Akani Simbine.
“It was a bit shocking,” Bolt said of the race. “Blake stumbled a little bit and then panicked. It was just one of those things. It happens.
“I went to see him before he came to Australia at the (training) track and I did say that but it was just a joke.
“I haven’t texted him. I am waiting until I go to the (athletes’) village to see him. I am definitely going to make fun of him.”
Bolt also questioned why some have not opted to race on the Gold Coast, including England sprinter CJ Ujah.
Bolt, whose only Commonwealth Games came in Glasgow four years ago, said: “It’s all about your coach or if you feel you’re not ready. Everybody has different ways of doing things.
“He (Ujah) may have a different plan, you never know why people make decisions. The Commonwealth Games is an important stepping stone. I would have done it but everyone has their reasons.
“I want every gold medal in my cabinet, what I find important is a gold medal. When people ask I can say ‘Commonwealth, World Championships…’ It’s a full catalogue. If they didn’t show up it’s their loss.”