George was not only a fantastic player, to me he was also a fantastic bloke Pat Jennings Tribute: The Best man

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.

GEORGE BEST CAREER DETAILS 1946: Born 22 May Man Utd 1963-73: 466 games 178 goals Stockport County 1975: 3 games 2 goals Cork Celtic 1975-76: 3 games 0 goals LA Aztecs 1976: 24 games 15 goals Fulham 1976-77: 37 games 8 goals LA Aztecs 1977: 25 games 13 goals Fulham 1977: 10 games 2 goals LA Aztecs 1978: 12 games 1 goal Fort Lauderdale 1979: 14 games 5 goals Hibernian 1979-80: 16 games 3 goals Fort Lauderdale 1980: 19 games 2 goals Hibernian 1980: 6 games 0 goals San Jose 1981-82: 56 games 21 goals AFC Bournemouth 1983: 5 games 0 goals Brisbane Lions 1983: 4 games 0 goals

"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 hell 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."

The things he could do with a football were sublime - there aren't enough superlatives to describe him From CR Have your say on 606

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.