George Best will go down as one a Manchester United legend and even more than that as one of Britain’s finest ever footballers.
The Northern Irish phenomenon scored 251 goals throughout his career, including 179 for the Red Devils which is the joint fourth highest in the club’s history – only trumped by Wayne Rooney, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and Jack Rowley.
The man was an incredibly gifted player while also enjoying himself off the field when it came to drinking and partying.
Best’s ability to turn up and play such high-quality football despite not living the life a professional sportsman should be quite remarkable and has made him something of a cult hero.
Here we are going to look at some of the photos which best sum up just what a maverick and what a magician he was., starting with him as a fresh-faced teenager who had not long before been given his big break at Old Trafford…
Best pictured before a match against Arsenal at Highbury, aged just 18 years old. This was only a year after his first senior appearance for Manchester United.
28th November 1964.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Manchester United celebrate winning the League Championship after their 6-1 win over West Ham at Upton Park in the penultimate game of the season.
Players include Best, Denis Law, Bill Foulkes, Paddy Crerand, Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton, manager Matt Busby and assistant Jimmy Murphy.
6th May 1967.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best celebrates the opening of his fashion boutique with friends and a few glasses of champagne.
14th September 1967.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best scoring his second goal with a header past West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper John Osborne during a League Division One match at Old Trafford.
2nd December 1967.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best, who had been voted the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year, playing cricket with some children in Manchester.
6th May 1968.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
A young Best outside his digs in Manchester.
May 1968.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
European Cup Semi Final Second Leg match the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester United (United win 4-3 on aggregate).
Best, along with teammate Dave Sadler, cooling off in the shower, still in their kits, as they celebrate their historic victory.
15th May 1968.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best Manchester United parading the European Cup after beating Benfica at Wembley Stadium.
29th May 1968.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best faced by photographers and cameramen after he received the European Footballer of the Year Award from French journalist Max Urbini before his side’s league division one match against Burnley at Old Trafford.
19th April 1969.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best receives the 1969 European Footballer of the Year “Ballon D’Or” Award as teammates Denis Law and Bobby Charlton look on with manager Sir Matt Busby at Old Trafford.
19th April 1969.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best on holiday with girlfriend Susan George in Palma Nova, Majorca.
June 1969.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
English FA Cup match at Portman Road. Ipswich Town 0-1 Manchester United. United fans run onto the pitch after Best as they celebrate victory
January 1970.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Sunday Mirror article about Best with the headline ‘For the last year all I’ve done is drink.’
21st May 1972.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best celebrates his 26th birthday in Marbella, Spain.
May 1972.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Best signing a football in his hotel room in Marabella, Spain while he also holds a drink in his hand.
July 1972.
Copyright: Mirrorpix