George Best did something no other player in the world was capable of, Man Utd teammate Alex Stepney explains

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Manchester United legend George Best is a true icon of the game and one of the world’s greatest ever players.

The reverence Manchester United hold for George Best has been on full show over the past week with the club launching a new tracksuit range in honour of the Northern Irishman.

The club’s players arrived at Old Trafford for the last Premier League game kitted out in the royal blue tracksuits, matching the colour of the club’s shirts in the 1968 European Cup Final.

The final against Benfica was George Best’s finest hour, inspiring a 4-1 extra-time victory at Wembley.

Alex Stepney lauds George Best

In honour of George Best, ahead of Manchester United’s match at the weekend, his former teammate Alex Stepney was interviewed on MUTV.

Stepney is one of United’s greatest ever goalkeepers, and won the European Cup alongside Best in 1968.

Stepney, 82, was asked to sum up George Best in one sentence, and he had a quick-witted response.

He commented: “In a sentence.. surname!” – pointing out that his ex-teammate really was the ‘Best’.

The former United star elaborated, pointing out how his solo goal against Benfica was one no other player in the world could have scored at that time, on that stage.

He added: “He was incredible. I don’t think any other player in the world would have done what he did in that particular moment when he scored against Benfica in extra-time.

“When he nutmegged the defender and went around the goalkeeper. I don’t think any other player would have done that. not like George did.”

George Best won it all

George Best was a Manchester United academy graduate who went on to win the Ballon d’Or.

One of Manchester United’s greatest ever players and wingers, Best was a key part of Sir Matt Busby’s European Cup winning side.

With the scores level against Benfica at the end of 90 minutes, George Best scored the tie-turning goal to give Manchester United the lead two minutes into extra-time.

Further goals from Bobby Charlton – his second of the game – and Brian Kidd gave Manchester United a 4-1 victory, but it was Best’s strike which had the biggest influence on the match.

The triumph sealed a remarkable achievement for United, the first ever English club to win the European Cup, and 10 years on from the Munich disaster which devastated the club.