23 Jun 2014 11:04:51
are there any older man utd fans on here that were around when george best was playing? before my time so I've only seen clips of him and seen the full game of the 1968 cup european cup game, my old man says george best would be the best player in the world today for sure with todays light balls, fields like snooker tables and defenders not allowed to tackle etc. he's biased towards the that era though so i'd like an unbiased view if thers anyone out there that was around back then.

1.) 23 Jun 2014
I was around, and your old man is wrong.George was way better than that. Playing for NI he took Scotland apart single handedly, and destroyed some of the best defences in the world. It's impossible for anyone to overrate George. For me, still the greatest player ever!

2.) 23 Jun 2014
The main factor would be his mentality. To succeed in this era may require a level of personal discipline that GB could never have maintained. Or not. perhaps in this age, where the cult of personality is ubiquitous, it would have been possible to prevent him from falling foul of his demons.

He had amazing talent. He could dribble, pass, he had vision and could create and score. He could make defenders commit themselves or even fall over with the jink of a shoulder. And because he was a complete footballer, his skills would most likely have have transcended the tactical shifts in the game since the 1960s.

If he came back today and applied himself I'm sure he would have been right up there with the very best. With discipline, and the protection finesse players receive today, maybe his star would have shone at the top of the tree for longer than it did. And of course we would be able to analyze and enjoy every goal he ever scored or set up because it would all be archived.

3.) 23 Jun 2014
OT7, how can he be much better than being the best player in the world?

4.) 23 Jun 2014
Believe'
Because he was "out of this world."
Patrick

5.) 23 Jun 2014
Yes, I was around in the days of Best and Law and Charlton. Law was a fantastic predator an Charlton was immensely influential, but Best was the most talented, innovative and exciting to watch. He would have thrived today. However, it is very, very sad not just for him but for United too. He destroyed his playing career because of his wild drinking and late nights before matches. I suspect that his antics would not have been tolerated by Fergie and certainly not by for Van Gaal.
Red Setter

6.) 23 Jun 2014
Would he have been able to score the volume of goals that Cristiano & Messi do though?

7.) 23 Jun 2014
Easily Believe. There is a whole universe out there ;-)

8.) 23 Jun 2014
Believe, George scored a lot of goals when 'wingers' were usually responsible for assisting more than scoring. Two footed and great in the air, he scored from anywhere, and he was a great showman. All before step overs and Cruyff turns too!

9.) 23 Jun 2014
23 Jun 2014 17:37:44
I said before, I think George would have played more today as he wouldn't be the only global superstar.

Back then, he was the first. Nobody would have known how to cope with that level of fame, as there was no precedent.

The best I've ever seen, and I only saw him in his twilight years - still head and shoulders above his younger opponents.

10.) 23 Jun 2014
Stretfordender Best had the skills to be better than anyone I truly believe he would have made Messi look onlg a good footballer.
Saying that mentally he wouldn't apply himself as he said he spent all his money on wine women and song, the rest he wasted, pretty much summed him up
Sir Matt said he could play any position including goalkeeper

11.) 23 Jun 2014
23 Jun 2014 19:12:36
Watch this goal, this was when George Best was well passed it.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U2HWUbFGHMU

12.) 23 Jun 2014
I was lucky enough to see George at OT live just the once. I was young, sat in South stand and it was something magical. Georgie was perfectly two footed, could head, had pace and scored goals at a time when lumps were kicked out of players and the pitches were horrendous beyond belief. The one thing that struck me about him was the most incredible balance.
I didn't see enough of him live. Whilst he was the complete footballer I may not be popular saying this but Ronaldo has the edge for me. It isn't just the skill but also the dedication and longevity. Perhaps also I felt a little let down by George as he was our dream player who messed us about.
Georgie was a boys idol who retired before his prime yet was the most amazing player who had it all. We admire Ronaldo but all wanted to be the one and only Georgie Best

13.) 23 Jun 2014
23 Jun 2014 20:12:29
Best by name best by nature all that needs to be said

14.) 23 Jun 2014
23 Jun 2014 20:37:24
I was not about in that era, but here from people a little older shall we say. Quite a few state that Duncan Edwards was the best they had ever seen, but tragically his life and talent were cut short. They say that if he had lived to play more, then he was the number 1.