The football world is in mourning after the death of ex-Manchester United and Northern Ireland star George Best.
Best, 59, died in a west London hospital after multiple organ failure followed eight weeks of ill health.
Drugs needed after his liver transplant in 2002 had made the former alcoholic more susceptible to infection.
"He was a fantastic player. Everybody at United regarded George as being one of the greatest of all time," said Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United manager added: "It's very sad because he was a wonderful person, who was very likeable."
Sir Bobby Charlton, who played alongside Best at his peak but was never close as a friend, said: "He was on a par, at least, with anyone you can name.
"We at Manchester United have learned from our experience with Eric Cantona, we had to treat him differently, make allowances. If, instead of being hostile to George, which I was, we had leaned a bit his way and tried to help him, who knows?"
Denis Law, who spent Thursday evening at Best's bedside, said: "From 1964 to 1969 he was the best player in the country."
"It's sad as **** but I don't think we saw the best of him. He went on the blink at a time when he could have got even better."
Former Northern Ireland team and room-mate Pat Jennings, who made his international debut in 1964 alongside Best, said: "He was not only a fantastic player, to me he was also a fantastic bloke.
"The George Best I met then is the same George Best I knew later."
Republic of Ireland and Leeds midfielder Johnny Giles described Best as "the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen.
"He had the lot: balance, pace, two good feet, he was brave, strong and a good header of the ball.
"Pele wasn't as gifted as George Best and I would definitely put George above Johan Cruyff because he had more heart," said Giles.
From BBC Sport
Best, 59, died in a west London hospital after multiple organ failure followed eight weeks of ill health.
Drugs needed after his liver transplant in 2002 had made the former alcoholic more susceptible to infection.
"He was a fantastic player. Everybody at United regarded George as being one of the greatest of all time," said Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United manager added: "It's very sad because he was a wonderful person, who was very likeable."
Sir Bobby Charlton, who played alongside Best at his peak but was never close as a friend, said: "He was on a par, at least, with anyone you can name.
"We at Manchester United have learned from our experience with Eric Cantona, we had to treat him differently, make allowances. If, instead of being hostile to George, which I was, we had leaned a bit his way and tried to help him, who knows?"
Denis Law, who spent Thursday evening at Best's bedside, said: "From 1964 to 1969 he was the best player in the country."
"It's sad as **** but I don't think we saw the best of him. He went on the blink at a time when he could have got even better."
Former Northern Ireland team and room-mate Pat Jennings, who made his international debut in 1964 alongside Best, said: "He was not only a fantastic player, to me he was also a fantastic bloke.
"The George Best I met then is the same George Best I knew later."
Republic of Ireland and Leeds midfielder Johnny Giles described Best as "the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen.
"He had the lot: balance, pace, two good feet, he was brave, strong and a good header of the ball.
"Pele wasn't as gifted as George Best and I would definitely put George above Johan Cruyff because he had more heart," said Giles.
From BBC Sport
