George Best. De beste speler ooit zonder groot toernooi.

UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to George Best and admitted: "He has left us with a million memories, all of them good ones."

Ferguson put into words the feeling of all football fans at the death of the legendary United and Northern Ireland winger.

He said: "At this moment I just think of him as a player. It's those moments we will relish.

"My own particular memory of him is playing against Scotland at Windsor Park. Tommy Gemmill was one of the best full-backs in the world at the time George gave him the mother and father of all chasings. I will always remember that particular day.

"He was such a special player, a phenomenal player and I think I speak for everyone associated with Manchester United when I say he has left us with a million memories, all of them good ones."

The United chief added: "Some people are just born with a craft and leave an indelible mark on people's lives. The thing I remember, apart from his talent, was his courage.

"I can see him flying down the wing riding tackles from people like Ron Harris, Tommy Smith and Norman Hunter.

"They were serious guys - you didn't mess with them - and it was a time when you needed to be struck down by a tomahawk just to get booked, yet he rode all that.

"Every time he went down he got up again and just said 'Give me the ball'. That will stick in my mind forever."

United will ask West Ham to observe a minute's silence on Sunday.

A statement from United read: "George Best was one of the greatest footballers of all time.

"Naturally athletic, tough, confident and blessed with genius, his career was one of the brightest stars of its generation. His gifts were legendary.

"For the goals, the audacious dribbles and all the wonderful memories, Manchester United and its legions of fans worldwide will always be grateful.

"We feel a deep sense of loss but his spirit and his talent will live on forever."

Sir Bobby Charlton, a director at Old Trafford and a team-mate of Best's during his time at the club, said: "Manchester United's glorious history has been created by people like George Best.

"Anyone that witnessed what George could do on the pitch wished they could do the same. He made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play. It is a very sad day.

"Football has lost one of its greats, and I have lost a dear friend. He was a marvellous person and my thoughts are now with his family."

The club will open a book of condolence tomorrow morning at Old Trafford.

Birmingham boss ex-United captain Steve Bruce was among the first to pay tribute to George Best.

He said: "It is very sad. When you speak to people in Manchester, when they talk of the great players - and in my era it was Beckenbauer, Pele, Cruyff - then George Best always seems to come into the equation.

"In a lot of people's eyes he was the greatest British player ever. I remember Brian Kidd telling me repeatedly that he was on a different level to everyone else.

"If you look at his record at Manchester United, it is incredible. I think he scored 200 odd goals in 400 odd games. He was quite an unbelievable talent. It's an absolute shame, a tragedy."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes the world did not see the best of Best.

He said: "I have not great [memories] of Best at that time, as I did not have access to TV. But I saw flashes and read a lot about him when I was a kid.

"What is amazing when you look back is that he stopped at 28.

"The best years of his career should have come from 28 to 32.

"You can't believe a player in the world stopping now - it would be like Thierry [Henry] stopping now."

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley was glad he had seen Best play.

He said: "There are a lot of people out there who know George Best in name only and would never have seen him.

"I know there is a lot of publicity surrounding him over the reason why he was ill, but football people know what he was about and those of us who were lucky enough to see him would know a little bit more.

"People like George Best, with ability like that, come along once upon a time - and we were lucky enough to see him and not a lot of people can say that.

"George Best was one of the greatest players ever seen."

Ex-England captain and Motherwell manager Terry Butcher described Best as a "footballing genius".

He said: "He is a true legend. He was a genius and all the great words you can think of apply to George.

"He was a footballing genius, a real world-class superstar.

"When you see those words mentioned these days they are somewhat diluted and take something from the greats like George.

"He was adored by other fans and people and will always be remembered."

Spurs coach Martin Jol added: "I thought he was one of the players in Europe who was special. He was a player who could beat three or four people and he was one of the best dribblers in the game.

"It is a big loss for British football. You would have liked to have seen a bit more of him. I mean Johan Cruyff played until he was 37 and even new generations knew him.

"Georgie Best was at his peak when he was 25 or 26 and then the problems started. I was at a testimonial match maybe 10 years ago at QPR and he played in that and he was still fine.

"You never lose your talent if you are that talented. It is about special talent and time on the ball and you can't train that, it is a gift of God and there's only a few players like that."


Dag Georgie.