This chapter from our United Heroes children’s book explains everything that young Reds should know about the coolest footballer there ever was, George Best…
GEORGE BEST, UNITED HERO
You might have heard United fans signing songs about George Best at Old Trafford, or seen the famous United Trinity statue outside the stadium, and wondered just how good Bestie must have been.
He really was one of the greatest players that ever kicked a ball, and that’s no exaggeration. He had skills like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and that’s despite playing with heavy, old-fashioned footballs on horrible muddy pitches.
He used to get kicked up and down the wing by angry defenders who couldn’t deal with his skills, but he would just get up and beat them again!
His bravery and creativity made him an unbelievable player, he could score all different types of goals and he’s rightly considered one of United’s all-time legends.
HOW HE BECAME A LEGEND
Best's story began when he was discovered playing football in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at 15 and was brought over to play for the Reds’ youth team.
He signed as a professional on his 17th birthday and was given his first-team debut by manager Sir Matt Busby a few months later in September 1963 against West Brom. Before long our fans had fallen in love with this special player.
He established himself as one of the most exciting players in England over the next couple of years, but the world stood up and took notice one night in March 1966 when, at the age of just 19, he starred in an incredible 5-1 win against Benfica in Portugal in the European Cup quarter-final, scoring twice.
Benfica were one of the best teams in Europe, but Best was too good for them and it made him a massive star overnight.
A FOOTBALLING SUPERSTAR
Despite the fame that followed, it was on the pitch when he was most at home, and after winning the league in 1967, Best and United were ready to conquer Europe.
After beating Real Madrid in the European Cup semi-finals, it was time to face our old rivals Benfica in the final of Europe’s biggest club competition at Wembley.
The final was incredibly close, with the scores level at 1-1 after 90 minutes. But just three minutes into extra-time, Best changed the game.
Picking up the ball in the Benfica half, he dribbled around the Portuguese defence, took the ball round their keeper and rolled it into the empty net. Yes!
United went on to score two more goals and we were crowned the first English team ever to become champions of Europe.
Later that year he was named the best player in Europe – all at the age of just 22!
Sadly, this was to be the highlight of his career. As United struggled in the years after winning the European Cup, and after Busby retired from management, Best and United drifted apart, and he played his last game for the Reds on New Year’s Day 1974.
Despite this sad early departure, his legend status was guaranteed forever.
Simply the best!