comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 23 seconds ago
I don't think it's complicated. The older United fans would typically claim Best was greater because Best was their generation.
….
It does not work like that no matter how much you want it to. I don’t think Graham Hill or James Hunt were the greatest racing drivers. Likewise no golfers from that time were as exciting to watch as Rory is or Bryson Dechambeau.
I could go on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On the old BBC 606, I remember my visits to the golf board where older fans used to talk about how much better Jack Nicklaus was than Tiger Woods. And tennis fans talking about how Rod Laver was akshually better than Roger Federer, and Bjorn Borg was a greater clay player than Nadal etc. It's very common in sports for fans to wax nostalgic over long bygone eras.
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 minute ago
Lol....behave. Ronaldo was legitimately the best player in the world at a point at Man U (with all the individual accolades from his peers, media, FIFA, UEFA etc to show for it). Scholes, Giggs and Rooney never were - and were never close to being so.
….
In your opinion. Not in mine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Did Scholes ever even win Man U player of the year in his 2 decade career there? You're seriously saying Rooney, Giggs and Scholes are greater players than Ronaldo for Man U? Ronaldo who in his 6 years there was a 2 time FWA and PFA player of the year, and Ballon D'Or and FIFA player of the year was not as great as Giggs, Rooney and Scholes? Seriously?
On the old BBC 606, I remember my visits to the golf board where older fans used to talk about how much better Jack Nicklaus was than Tiger Woods. And tennis fans talking about how Rod Laver was akshually better than Roger Federer, and Bjorn Borg was a greater clay player than Nadal etc. It's very common in sports for fans to wax nostalgic over long bygone eras.
…..
So based on that you decided that all people will pick their own generation.
You must love Sandy.
Did Scholes ever even win Man U player of the year in his 2 decade career there? You're seriously saying Rooney, Giggs and Scholes are greater players than Ronaldo for Man U?
……
Yes. Ronaldo’s best years were at Real.
This is not hard to understand.
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 minute ago
Did Scholes ever even win Man U player of the year in his 2 decade career there? You're seriously saying Rooney, Giggs and Scholes are greater players than Ronaldo for Man U?
……
Yes. Ronaldo’s best years were at Real.
This is not hard to understand.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You could erase EVERYTHING Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and he'd still have a good case to be the greatest player of the Premier League era because of his prime. It's the Real Madrid years that puts him in the leagues of the Messis and Peles, but FFS, he doesn't need that to be greater than the likes of Rooney, Giggs and Scholes.
You could erase EVERYTHING Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and he'd still have a good case to be the greatest player of the Premier League era because of his prime.
….
His prime wasn’t in the premier league. Have another go.
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 29 minutes ago
You could erase EVERYTHING Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and he'd still have a good case to be the greatest player of the Premier League era because of his prime.
….
His prime wasn’t in the premier league. Have another go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The hypothetical already excludes everything he did at Real Madrid and focuses on his Premier League prime. You know, the PL prime that won him the Ballon D'Or in England. Not sure why you're finding this complicated.
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 29 minutes ago
You could erase EVERYTHING Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and he'd still have a good case to be the greatest player of the Premier League era because of his prime.
….
His prime wasn’t in the premier league. Have another go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The hypothetical already excludes everything he did at Real Madrid and focuses on his Premier League prime. You know, the PL prime that won him the Ballon D'Or in England. Not sure why you're finding this complicated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Whoop dee doo.
Difficult to settle a cross generational debate like Best v Ronaldo when we still haven’t solved the contemporary Scholes v Lampard v Gerrard.
I wish I’d had seen Best play. My relatives who’ve been going to United since the 50s are pretty much unanimous that Best is still… the best.
If I had to choose between dribbling past 5 players and scoring from 40 yards at Anfield or ลhagging Miss World, it’d be a hard choice. Thankfully, I’ve done both.
Love this quote haha
The old boys around me at OT all day Best was best, better than Bobby, better than Ronaldo.
The thing is Sheriff, Ive written plenty of posts about the past, and have always acknowledged the supremecy of the present. A little question for you, who in the PL is better than Ronaldo was for us
Music ? Currently my two faves are Ten and London Grammar.
Finally my second choice as United's most skilful player is Dimitar who I could watch all day.
But seriously, George is the best. So far.
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 12 minutes ago
It's mostly on forums like this I see people say this, tbh. And I suspect the vast majority of those who say it have only seen YouTube clips of George Best. Your 71-year-old current owner for example said Ronaldo is the greatest United player he's watched, ahead of Bobby Charlton (though saying Best is the most "naturally gifted".
+++
no I said it was some United supporters who have actually watched both Best and Ronaldo form this opinion. Not just watched youtube clips og Best. Like you have. Did Jim actually follow United and attend matches in the 60s and early 70s. I doubt it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best would have been 6-years-old when Jim Ratcliffe was born. Why would you "doubt" whether Jim Ratcliffe watched him play?
I don't think it's complicated. The older United fans would typically claim Best was greater because Best was their generation. People are nostalgic for what they loved in their youth - whether music, films or whatever. And the views of the younger fans who didn't watch Best are influenced by the older fans who did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do Idoubt Jim was a regular match going Red in the60s. Yes.
comment by Ali - ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (U1192)
posted 10 hours, 35 minutes ago
In all seriousness, yeah I've only watched video clips but I've seen enough to show me I much prefer Best's style of play to any other player I've seen live in my lifetime. Probably only Messi comes close but Best just had something special.
He could easily go left or right and he was hard as nails on the pitch.
I can really appreciate how good they were with those 2 kilo boots, in absolute w@nk conditions with a stupidly heavy ball when I play on my weekend league and there's potholes over the pitch and there is a bit of rain.
My dad used to tell me stories about him all the time when I was younger.
I once met him in the Crowne Plaza in Malta. Never meet your heros they say?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihad a pair of George Best Stylo Matchmakers as a kid. With the laces n the sdes. A sexy as fack. Thing you are mixing the 30s and 40s with the 60s and 70s.
Best literally lived around the corner to me when I was small. Saw him all the time. Hed wave at us kids in his sports car and often get out and join in with the a kick about or a game of cricket with all the kids on the street. A true decent but incredibly shy chap, and our sporting hero and role model growing up in West Didisbury/Chorlton.
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 38 minutes ago
comment by Ali - ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (U1192)
posted 10 hours, 35 minutes ago
In all seriousness, yeah I've only watched video clips but I've seen enough to show me I much prefer Best's style of play to any other player I've seen live in my lifetime. Probably only Messi comes close but Best just had something special.
He could easily go left or right and he was hard as nails on the pitch.
I can really appreciate how good they were with those 2 kilo boots, in absolute w@nk conditions with a stupidly heavy ball when I play on my weekend league and there's potholes over the pitch and there is a bit of rain.
My dad used to tell me stories about him all the time when I was younger.
I once met him in the Crowne Plaza in Malta. Never meet your heros they say?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihad a pair of George Best Stylo Matchmakers as a kid. With the laces n the sdes. A sexy as fack. Thing you are mixing the 30s and 40s with the 60s and 70s.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They are very nice boots. I was looking for a modernised version recently as I need a new pair.
Even those boots George wore, you can tell they'd absorb a ton of water if it was wet though. Be like wearing weights on your ankles.
comment by Ali - ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (U1192)
posted 24 seconds ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 38 minutes ago
comment by Ali - ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (U1192)
posted 10 hours, 35 minutes ago
In all seriousness, yeah I've only watched video clips but I've seen enough to show me I much prefer Best's style of play to any other player I've seen live in my lifetime. Probably only Messi comes close but Best just had something special.
He could easily go left or right and he was hard as nails on the pitch.
I can really appreciate how good they were with those 2 kilo boots, in absolute w@nk conditions with a stupidly heavy ball when I play on my weekend league and there's potholes over the pitch and there is a bit of rain.
My dad used to tell me stories about him all the time when I was younger.
I once met him in the Crowne Plaza in Malta. Never meet your heros they say?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihad a pair of George Best Stylo Matchmakers as a kid. With the laces n the sdes. A sexy as fack. Thing you are mixing the 30s and 40s with the 60s and 70s.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They are very nice boots. I was looking for a modernised version recently as I need a new pair.
Even those boots George wore, you can tell they'd absorb a ton of water if it was wet though. Be like wearing weights on your ankles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you compare them todays pro boots yes.
But Matchmakers were quite very light. We wore them one size too small so they fitted really tightly. Never thought they were weights on my feet at all
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 12 minutes ago
It's mostly on forums like this I see people say this, tbh. And I suspect the vast majority of those who say it have only seen YouTube clips of George Best. Your 71-year-old current owner for example said Ronaldo is the greatest United player he's watched, ahead of Bobby Charlton (though saying Best is the most "naturally gifted".
+++
no I said it was some United supporters who have actually watched both Best and Ronaldo form this opinion. Not just watched youtube clips og Best. Like you have. Did Jim actually follow United and attend matches in the 60s and early 70s. I doubt it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best would have been 6-years-old when Jim Ratcliffe was born. Why would you "doubt" whether Jim Ratcliffe watched him play?
I don't think it's complicated. The older United fans would typically claim Best was greater because Best was their generation. People are nostalgic for what they loved in their youth - whether music, films or whatever. And the views of the younger fans who didn't watch Best are influenced by the older fans who did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do Idoubt Jim was a regular match going Red in the60s. Yes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, but why do you doubt it? Your doubt doesn't seem to be based on anything but doubt for the sake of doubting.
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 12 minutes ago
It's mostly on forums like this I see people say this, tbh. And I suspect the vast majority of those who say it have only seen YouTube clips of George Best. Your 71-year-old current owner for example said Ronaldo is the greatest United player he's watched, ahead of Bobby Charlton (though saying Best is the most "naturally gifted".
+++
no I said it was some United supporters who have actually watched both Best and Ronaldo form this opinion. Not just watched youtube clips og Best. Like you have. Did Jim actually follow United and attend matches in the 60s and early 70s. I doubt it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best would have been 6-years-old when Jim Ratcliffe was born. Why would you "doubt" whether Jim Ratcliffe watched him play?
I don't think it's complicated. The older United fans would typically claim Best was greater because Best was their generation. People are nostalgic for what they loved in their youth - whether music, films or whatever. And the views of the younger fans who didn't watch Best are influenced by the older fans who did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do Idoubt Jim was a regular match going Red in the60s. Yes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, but why do you doubt it? Your doubt doesn't seem to be based on anything but doubt for the sake of doubting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hea chelsea fan?
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best was that good that opposition players rarely got near him. If Paddy Crerand struck a throughball down the channels Best was gone and onto goal on his own... he had loads of 1to1s with keepers and he always tried to round the GK rather that shooting past them into the goal. The only way he could get injured was by if people like Chopper Harris and Tommy Smith, Mike Doyle etc. who basically just scythed him down from behind. Best got bored as to how easy he found football and even famously would turn around with the ball to find defenders in his wake to beat again. Bobby Charlton would chastise Best for this and claim he was humiliating good honest defenders many who were Bobbys personal friends. Best and Charlton never really saw eye to eye. He moaned that Sir Matt clearly treated Best differently. As Fergie did with Cantona. Sir Mat would answer these allegations by saying ah yes I have to as Best is a genius Bobby.
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best was that good that opposition players rarely got near him. If Paddy Crerand struck a throughball down the channels Best was gone and onto goal on his own... he had loads of 1to1s with keepers and he always tried to round the GK rather that shooting past them into the goal. The only way he could get injured was by if people like Chopper Harris and Tommy Smith, Mike Doyle etc. who basically just scythed him down from behind. Best got bored as to how easy he found football and even famously would turn around with the ball to find defenders in his wake to beat again. Bobby Charlton would chastise Best for this and claim he was humiliating good honest defenders many who were Bobbys personal friends. Best and Charlton never really saw eye to eye. He moaned that Sir Matt clearly treated Best differently. As Fergie did with Cantona. Sir Mat would answer these allegations by saying ah yes I have to as Best is a genius Bobby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My dad told me this a long time ago. Love little snippets like this
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best was that good that opposition players rarely got near him. If Paddy Crerand struck a throughball down the channels Best was gone and onto goal on his own... he had loads of 1to1s with keepers and he always tried to round the GK rather that shooting past them into the goal. The only way he could get injured was by if people like Chopper Harris and Tommy Smith, Mike Doyle etc. who basically just scythed him down from behind. Best got bored as to how easy he found football and even famously would turn around with the ball to find defenders in his wake to beat again. Bobby Charlton would chastise Best for this and claim he was humiliating good honest defenders many who were Bobbys personal friends. Best and Charlton never really saw eye to eye. He moaned that Sir Matt clearly treated Best differently. As Fergie did with Cantona. Sir Mat would answer these allegations by saying ah yes I have to as Best is a genius Bobby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
๐
I love reading about players from the past from a fan's POV; you guys should do more stuff like this.
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 hours, 59 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Teams in that era could prosecute a 42-game season with like 13/14 players. English football was not nearly as violent as made out. The South Americans (except Brazil), the Italians, the Portuguese etc were far more cynical. Maradona famously said that his wonder goal against England was because the English were "fairer" than other countries. In Italy, Spain or Argentina where he had played, no one would allow him carry the ball half the length of the pitch like that without him getting scythed down.
And frankly, those spaghetti-legged players Best used to waltz through were just REALLY unathletic players. It's clear in the highlight videos. I bet Wan Bissaka today could give him a much tougher time than 99% of those guys.
Also injuries are probably more frequent today because the sport is just that much more intense. Happens in tennis which I follow too, where today's much more robustly built professionals seem to have more injuries and burnout than their peers from decades earlier who used to play far more matches (and still played doubles and mixed doubles).
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 2 hours, 57 minutes ago
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best was that good that opposition players rarely got near him. If Paddy Crerand struck a throughball down the channels Best was gone and onto goal on his own... he had loads of 1to1s with keepers and he always tried to round the GK rather that shooting past them into the goal. The only way he could get injured was by if people like Chopper Harris and Tommy Smith, Mike Doyle etc. who basically just scythed him down from behind. Best got bored as to how easy he found football and even famously would turn around with the ball to find defenders in his wake to beat again. Bobby Charlton would chastise Best for this and claim he was humiliating good honest defenders many who were Bobbys personal friends. Best and Charlton never really saw eye to eye. He moaned that Sir Matt clearly treated Best differently. As Fergie did with Cantona. Sir Mat would answer these allegations by saying ah yes I have to as Best is a genius Bobby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Charlton disliked Best because he thought his attitude was detrimental to the team ethos, and he didn't often given his best:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/10/the-feud-between-best-and-charlton-that-shattered-manchester-united
Don't think it had much to do with humiliating honest defenders. I don't think many players would have liked what seemed like the propensity for Best to carry the ball too long. It's probably not coincidental that Best's rise in influence around 67/68 coincided with the sharp drop in Denis Law's goals. If your anecdote about him beating players again because it was too easy is true, that could not have been great for the team.
Sign in if you want to comment
George Best
Page 2 of 3
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 23 seconds ago
I don't think it's complicated. The older United fans would typically claim Best was greater because Best was their generation.
….
It does not work like that no matter how much you want it to. I don’t think Graham Hill or James Hunt were the greatest racing drivers. Likewise no golfers from that time were as exciting to watch as Rory is or Bryson Dechambeau.
I could go on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On the old BBC 606, I remember my visits to the golf board where older fans used to talk about how much better Jack Nicklaus was than Tiger Woods. And tennis fans talking about how Rod Laver was akshually better than Roger Federer, and Bjorn Borg was a greater clay player than Nadal etc. It's very common in sports for fans to wax nostalgic over long bygone eras.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 minute ago
Lol....behave. Ronaldo was legitimately the best player in the world at a point at Man U (with all the individual accolades from his peers, media, FIFA, UEFA etc to show for it). Scholes, Giggs and Rooney never were - and were never close to being so.
….
In your opinion. Not in mine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Did Scholes ever even win Man U player of the year in his 2 decade career there? You're seriously saying Rooney, Giggs and Scholes are greater players than Ronaldo for Man U? Ronaldo who in his 6 years there was a 2 time FWA and PFA player of the year, and Ballon D'Or and FIFA player of the year was not as great as Giggs, Rooney and Scholes? Seriously?
posted on 9/8/24
On the old BBC 606, I remember my visits to the golf board where older fans used to talk about how much better Jack Nicklaus was than Tiger Woods. And tennis fans talking about how Rod Laver was akshually better than Roger Federer, and Bjorn Borg was a greater clay player than Nadal etc. It's very common in sports for fans to wax nostalgic over long bygone eras.
…..
So based on that you decided that all people will pick their own generation.
You must love Sandy.
posted on 9/8/24
Did Scholes ever even win Man U player of the year in his 2 decade career there? You're seriously saying Rooney, Giggs and Scholes are greater players than Ronaldo for Man U?
……
Yes. Ronaldo’s best years were at Real.
This is not hard to understand.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 minute ago
Did Scholes ever even win Man U player of the year in his 2 decade career there? You're seriously saying Rooney, Giggs and Scholes are greater players than Ronaldo for Man U?
……
Yes. Ronaldo’s best years were at Real.
This is not hard to understand.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You could erase EVERYTHING Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and he'd still have a good case to be the greatest player of the Premier League era because of his prime. It's the Real Madrid years that puts him in the leagues of the Messis and Peles, but FFS, he doesn't need that to be greater than the likes of Rooney, Giggs and Scholes.
posted on 9/8/24
You could erase EVERYTHING Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and he'd still have a good case to be the greatest player of the Premier League era because of his prime.
….
His prime wasn’t in the premier league. Have another go.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 29 minutes ago
You could erase EVERYTHING Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and he'd still have a good case to be the greatest player of the Premier League era because of his prime.
….
His prime wasn’t in the premier league. Have another go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The hypothetical already excludes everything he did at Real Madrid and focuses on his Premier League prime. You know, the PL prime that won him the Ballon D'Or in England. Not sure why you're finding this complicated.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 29 minutes ago
You could erase EVERYTHING Ronaldo did at Real Madrid and he'd still have a good case to be the greatest player of the Premier League era because of his prime.
….
His prime wasn’t in the premier league. Have another go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The hypothetical already excludes everything he did at Real Madrid and focuses on his Premier League prime. You know, the PL prime that won him the Ballon D'Or in England. Not sure why you're finding this complicated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Whoop dee doo.
posted on 9/8/24
Difficult to settle a cross generational debate like Best v Ronaldo when we still haven’t solved the contemporary Scholes v Lampard v Gerrard.
I wish I’d had seen Best play. My relatives who’ve been going to United since the 50s are pretty much unanimous that Best is still… the best.
posted on 9/8/24
If I had to choose between dribbling past 5 players and scoring from 40 yards at Anfield or ลhagging Miss World, it’d be a hard choice. Thankfully, I’ve done both.
Love this quote haha
posted on 9/8/24
The old boys around me at OT all day Best was best, better than Bobby, better than Ronaldo.
posted on 9/8/24
The thing is Sheriff, Ive written plenty of posts about the past, and have always acknowledged the supremecy of the present. A little question for you, who in the PL is better than Ronaldo was for us
Music ? Currently my two faves are Ten and London Grammar.
Finally my second choice as United's most skilful player is Dimitar who I could watch all day.
But seriously, George is the best. So far.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 12 minutes ago
It's mostly on forums like this I see people say this, tbh. And I suspect the vast majority of those who say it have only seen YouTube clips of George Best. Your 71-year-old current owner for example said Ronaldo is the greatest United player he's watched, ahead of Bobby Charlton (though saying Best is the most "naturally gifted".
+++
no I said it was some United supporters who have actually watched both Best and Ronaldo form this opinion. Not just watched youtube clips og Best. Like you have. Did Jim actually follow United and attend matches in the 60s and early 70s. I doubt it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best would have been 6-years-old when Jim Ratcliffe was born. Why would you "doubt" whether Jim Ratcliffe watched him play?
I don't think it's complicated. The older United fans would typically claim Best was greater because Best was their generation. People are nostalgic for what they loved in their youth - whether music, films or whatever. And the views of the younger fans who didn't watch Best are influenced by the older fans who did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do Idoubt Jim was a regular match going Red in the60s. Yes.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Ali - ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (U1192)
posted 10 hours, 35 minutes ago
In all seriousness, yeah I've only watched video clips but I've seen enough to show me I much prefer Best's style of play to any other player I've seen live in my lifetime. Probably only Messi comes close but Best just had something special.
He could easily go left or right and he was hard as nails on the pitch.
I can really appreciate how good they were with those 2 kilo boots, in absolute w@nk conditions with a stupidly heavy ball when I play on my weekend league and there's potholes over the pitch and there is a bit of rain.
My dad used to tell me stories about him all the time when I was younger.
I once met him in the Crowne Plaza in Malta. Never meet your heros they say?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihad a pair of George Best Stylo Matchmakers as a kid. With the laces n the sdes. A sexy as fack. Thing you are mixing the 30s and 40s with the 60s and 70s.
posted on 9/8/24
Best literally lived around the corner to me when I was small. Saw him all the time. Hed wave at us kids in his sports car and often get out and join in with the a kick about or a game of cricket with all the kids on the street. A true decent but incredibly shy chap, and our sporting hero and role model growing up in West Didisbury/Chorlton.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 38 minutes ago
comment by Ali - ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (U1192)
posted 10 hours, 35 minutes ago
In all seriousness, yeah I've only watched video clips but I've seen enough to show me I much prefer Best's style of play to any other player I've seen live in my lifetime. Probably only Messi comes close but Best just had something special.
He could easily go left or right and he was hard as nails on the pitch.
I can really appreciate how good they were with those 2 kilo boots, in absolute w@nk conditions with a stupidly heavy ball when I play on my weekend league and there's potholes over the pitch and there is a bit of rain.
My dad used to tell me stories about him all the time when I was younger.
I once met him in the Crowne Plaza in Malta. Never meet your heros they say?
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Ihad a pair of George Best Stylo Matchmakers as a kid. With the laces n the sdes. A sexy as fack. Thing you are mixing the 30s and 40s with the 60s and 70s.
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They are very nice boots. I was looking for a modernised version recently as I need a new pair.
Even those boots George wore, you can tell they'd absorb a ton of water if it was wet though. Be like wearing weights on your ankles.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Ali - ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (U1192)
posted 24 seconds ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 38 minutes ago
comment by Ali - ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (U1192)
posted 10 hours, 35 minutes ago
In all seriousness, yeah I've only watched video clips but I've seen enough to show me I much prefer Best's style of play to any other player I've seen live in my lifetime. Probably only Messi comes close but Best just had something special.
He could easily go left or right and he was hard as nails on the pitch.
I can really appreciate how good they were with those 2 kilo boots, in absolute w@nk conditions with a stupidly heavy ball when I play on my weekend league and there's potholes over the pitch and there is a bit of rain.
My dad used to tell me stories about him all the time when I was younger.
I once met him in the Crowne Plaza in Malta. Never meet your heros they say?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihad a pair of George Best Stylo Matchmakers as a kid. With the laces n the sdes. A sexy as fack. Thing you are mixing the 30s and 40s with the 60s and 70s.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They are very nice boots. I was looking for a modernised version recently as I need a new pair.
Even those boots George wore, you can tell they'd absorb a ton of water if it was wet though. Be like wearing weights on your ankles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you compare them todays pro boots yes.
But Matchmakers were quite very light. We wore them one size too small so they fitted really tightly. Never thought they were weights on my feet at all
posted on 9/8/24
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 12 minutes ago
It's mostly on forums like this I see people say this, tbh. And I suspect the vast majority of those who say it have only seen YouTube clips of George Best. Your 71-year-old current owner for example said Ronaldo is the greatest United player he's watched, ahead of Bobby Charlton (though saying Best is the most "naturally gifted".
+++
no I said it was some United supporters who have actually watched both Best and Ronaldo form this opinion. Not just watched youtube clips og Best. Like you have. Did Jim actually follow United and attend matches in the 60s and early 70s. I doubt it.
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Best would have been 6-years-old when Jim Ratcliffe was born. Why would you "doubt" whether Jim Ratcliffe watched him play?
I don't think it's complicated. The older United fans would typically claim Best was greater because Best was their generation. People are nostalgic for what they loved in their youth - whether music, films or whatever. And the views of the younger fans who didn't watch Best are influenced by the older fans who did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do Idoubt Jim was a regular match going Red in the60s. Yes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, but why do you doubt it? Your doubt doesn't seem to be based on anything but doubt for the sake of doubting.
posted on 9/8/24
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 10 hours, 49 minutes ago
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 12 minutes ago
It's mostly on forums like this I see people say this, tbh. And I suspect the vast majority of those who say it have only seen YouTube clips of George Best. Your 71-year-old current owner for example said Ronaldo is the greatest United player he's watched, ahead of Bobby Charlton (though saying Best is the most "naturally gifted".
+++
no I said it was some United supporters who have actually watched both Best and Ronaldo form this opinion. Not just watched youtube clips og Best. Like you have. Did Jim actually follow United and attend matches in the 60s and early 70s. I doubt it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best would have been 6-years-old when Jim Ratcliffe was born. Why would you "doubt" whether Jim Ratcliffe watched him play?
I don't think it's complicated. The older United fans would typically claim Best was greater because Best was their generation. People are nostalgic for what they loved in their youth - whether music, films or whatever. And the views of the younger fans who didn't watch Best are influenced by the older fans who did.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do Idoubt Jim was a regular match going Red in the60s. Yes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, but why do you doubt it? Your doubt doesn't seem to be based on anything but doubt for the sake of doubting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hea chelsea fan?
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best was that good that opposition players rarely got near him. If Paddy Crerand struck a throughball down the channels Best was gone and onto goal on his own... he had loads of 1to1s with keepers and he always tried to round the GK rather that shooting past them into the goal. The only way he could get injured was by if people like Chopper Harris and Tommy Smith, Mike Doyle etc. who basically just scythed him down from behind. Best got bored as to how easy he found football and even famously would turn around with the ball to find defenders in his wake to beat again. Bobby Charlton would chastise Best for this and claim he was humiliating good honest defenders many who were Bobbys personal friends. Best and Charlton never really saw eye to eye. He moaned that Sir Matt clearly treated Best differently. As Fergie did with Cantona. Sir Mat would answer these allegations by saying ah yes I have to as Best is a genius Bobby.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best was that good that opposition players rarely got near him. If Paddy Crerand struck a throughball down the channels Best was gone and onto goal on his own... he had loads of 1to1s with keepers and he always tried to round the GK rather that shooting past them into the goal. The only way he could get injured was by if people like Chopper Harris and Tommy Smith, Mike Doyle etc. who basically just scythed him down from behind. Best got bored as to how easy he found football and even famously would turn around with the ball to find defenders in his wake to beat again. Bobby Charlton would chastise Best for this and claim he was humiliating good honest defenders many who were Bobbys personal friends. Best and Charlton never really saw eye to eye. He moaned that Sir Matt clearly treated Best differently. As Fergie did with Cantona. Sir Mat would answer these allegations by saying ah yes I have to as Best is a genius Bobby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My dad told me this a long time ago. Love little snippets like this
posted on 9/8/24
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best was that good that opposition players rarely got near him. If Paddy Crerand struck a throughball down the channels Best was gone and onto goal on his own... he had loads of 1to1s with keepers and he always tried to round the GK rather that shooting past them into the goal. The only way he could get injured was by if people like Chopper Harris and Tommy Smith, Mike Doyle etc. who basically just scythed him down from behind. Best got bored as to how easy he found football and even famously would turn around with the ball to find defenders in his wake to beat again. Bobby Charlton would chastise Best for this and claim he was humiliating good honest defenders many who were Bobbys personal friends. Best and Charlton never really saw eye to eye. He moaned that Sir Matt clearly treated Best differently. As Fergie did with Cantona. Sir Mat would answer these allegations by saying ah yes I have to as Best is a genius Bobby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
๐
I love reading about players from the past from a fan's POV; you guys should do more stuff like this.
posted on 9/8/24
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 hours, 59 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Teams in that era could prosecute a 42-game season with like 13/14 players. English football was not nearly as violent as made out. The South Americans (except Brazil), the Italians, the Portuguese etc were far more cynical. Maradona famously said that his wonder goal against England was because the English were "fairer" than other countries. In Italy, Spain or Argentina where he had played, no one would allow him carry the ball half the length of the pitch like that without him getting scythed down.
And frankly, those spaghetti-legged players Best used to waltz through were just REALLY unathletic players. It's clear in the highlight videos. I bet Wan Bissaka today could give him a much tougher time than 99% of those guys.
Also injuries are probably more frequent today because the sport is just that much more intense. Happens in tennis which I follow too, where today's much more robustly built professionals seem to have more injuries and burnout than their peers from decades earlier who used to play far more matches (and still played doubles and mixed doubles).
posted on 9/8/24
comment by RB&W - He kicked lumps out of them (U21434)
posted 2 hours, 57 minutes ago
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 2 minutes ago
Way before my time but very aware of his place in Utd's rich history. Part of the holy trinity that included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Some of the brutal treatment he received playing with a heavier ball and poor pitches makes his accomplishments even more remarkable. All achieved without picking up long term injuries. Contrast the elite facilities, prestine lawn style pitches pouches now, lighter and scientifically advanced balls yet players are so prone to injury than ever before, so it seems!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Best was that good that opposition players rarely got near him. If Paddy Crerand struck a throughball down the channels Best was gone and onto goal on his own... he had loads of 1to1s with keepers and he always tried to round the GK rather that shooting past them into the goal. The only way he could get injured was by if people like Chopper Harris and Tommy Smith, Mike Doyle etc. who basically just scythed him down from behind. Best got bored as to how easy he found football and even famously would turn around with the ball to find defenders in his wake to beat again. Bobby Charlton would chastise Best for this and claim he was humiliating good honest defenders many who were Bobbys personal friends. Best and Charlton never really saw eye to eye. He moaned that Sir Matt clearly treated Best differently. As Fergie did with Cantona. Sir Mat would answer these allegations by saying ah yes I have to as Best is a genius Bobby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Charlton disliked Best because he thought his attitude was detrimental to the team ethos, and he didn't often given his best:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/10/the-feud-between-best-and-charlton-that-shattered-manchester-united
Don't think it had much to do with humiliating honest defenders. I don't think many players would have liked what seemed like the propensity for Best to carry the ball too long. It's probably not coincidental that Best's rise in influence around 67/68 coincided with the sharp drop in Denis Law's goals. If your anecdote about him beating players again because it was too easy is true, that could not have been great for the team.
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