Usain Bolt, the legendary Jamaican sprinter, has expressed his excitement and optimism about the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United’s new manager. The news came after the club parted ways with Erik ten Hag following a disappointing run of results. Amorim, who has earned widespread acclaim for his successful stint at Sporting Lisbon, is regarded as one of Europe’s rising managerial talents. His record, which includes two Portuguese league titles, has made him an appealing choice for United as they look to rebuild after a challenging few seasons.
Bolt, a long-time Manchester United supporter, shared his enthusiasm for the 39-year-old Portuguese coach. “I’m really excited! The fact that he beat Pep twice is wonderful,” Bolt said, referencing Amorim’s success in overcoming Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. However, some fans quickly pointed out that Amorim had only defeated Guardiola’s side once, in a memorable 4-1 win in the UEFA Champions League, not twice as Bolt initially mentioned. Regardless of this minor discrepancy, Bolt remains confident that Amorim’s appointment signals a fresh start for United.
One of the key reasons for Bolt’s optimism is Amorim’s reputation for instilling a strong sense of “identity” within the teams he has managed. This is a quality Bolt believes Manchester United has lacked in recent years. He stressed that Amorim could bring a clear and coherent playing style to the club, something that many fans have felt was missing, especially since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. “That’s what we were missing the identity,” Bolt explained. “I’m excited to see if the players can work with him and stand behind him.” This focus on identity resonates strongly with United supporters, who have seen the club struggle to maintain consistency and direction since Ferguson left the helm.
Bolt also took the opportunity to reflect on Manchester United’s underwhelming performance last season. While they managed to win the FA Cup, defeating Manchester City 2-1 in the final, their league form was disappointing. The team finished in eighth place, a position far below the club’s lofty ambitions. Bolt compared United’s situation to that of Arsenal, who finished second in the Premier League but did not secure any major trophies apart from the Community Shield. He used a track and field analogy to explain his frustrations, saying, “It’s like I’m running on a circuit and doing well and then I get to the Championship and win no medals.” This analogy highlights the sense of unfulfilled potential that many United fans have felt in recent years.
When asked about the ongoing rivalry between Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City, Bolt made his allegiance clear. While Arsenal finished ahead of United in the Premier League last season, Bolt remains firmly in favor of City over their North London counterparts. “Everybody always asks me who I’d rather win the Premier League out of Arsenal and Man City – I’m like, ‘Man City, easy,’” he said. This reflects his personal preference, but also a wider sentiment among many United fans, who view City as a more competitive and formidable force in English football today.
Despite the frustrations of the past few seasons, Bolt is hopeful that Amorim will be the man to lead Manchester United back to its former glory. The club’s leadership has made it clear that they are committed to refreshing their approach and looking toward the future with new tactics and ideas. If Amorim can deliver on his promise to create a strong team identity, Manchester United fans will be eager to see the club return to the top of English and European football. In the meantime, Bolt’s support and optimism offer a glimpse of hope for the Red Devils as they enter a new chapter under their new manager.
