Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside has now echoed the sentiments of Sir Alex Ferguson over one key detail about Red Devils icon George Best.
The Red Devils on Tuesday marked the 20th anniversary of George Best’s death, with the Manchester United legend only 59 years old at the time of his passing.
Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson perfectly captures the ethos of believing in youngsters 🔥👏
Giving young people an opportunity is a fantastic thing and they very seldom let you down. These lads never let me down when they put that jersey on.
Sir Alex Ferguson speaking at the opening of Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium in 2017
One of United’s famed – and beloved – No 7s, Best is widely considered one of the best players in the Premier League club’s history and of all time in football.
Best’s legendary exploits at United have seen him forever enshrined outside of Old Trafford in the Holy Trinity statue alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law.
The former United winger captured two First Division titles and a European Cup with the Red Devils and lifted the prized Ballon d’Or award during his prolific run at the club.
Photo by Albert Cooper/Mirror Syndication International/Mirrorpix via Getty ImagesNorman Whiteside explains what he realised about Man Utd icon George Best after meeting him in person
George Best was hospitalised in 2005 and the former Manchester United star died after he suffered multiple organ failure at London’s Cromwell Hospital.
The football world mourned the passing of Best two decades ago and the 1968 Ballon d’Or winner’s anniversary sparked tributes to pour in for him again.
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Norman Whiteside recalled his encounters with the former Northern Ireland international when Best was alive.
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The 60-year-old ex-United player admitted that something that stood out about Best outside of the public limelight was that he was “well-read” and “could even be shy.”
“I was lucky to meet George on many occasions and he was a lovely guy, off the park,” Whiteside said.
“If you hadn’t met him, he was a well-read guy and down to the fact that he could even be shy.
“You wouldn’t think that, but to go back to the football, he was the best there was and appropriately named.”
Sir Alex Ferguson felt the same way about Norman Whiteside’s assessment of George Best when he met the Man Utd icon himself
Sir Alex Ferguson, who is regarded as one of the best managers of all time, was a huge admirer of Best and crossed paths with the United icon when he was alive.
The 83-year-old iconic Scotsman, much like United legend Whiteside, realised the extent of Best’s “shyness” when he approached him at a bar in Japan.
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“In November 2005, we lost George Best,” he said in his 2013 autobiography ‘Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography,’ as per the Belfast Telegraph.
“He was a very nice bloke, George, a very gentle lad, a bit nervous somehow.
“Nervous to talk to you. He had an insecurity about him that worried you.
“I remember sitting in a bar in Japan with him once – he was with his girlfriend – and he could hardly talk. He seemed gripped by shyness.”
Best made 470 appearances for the United first-team squad and the former Red Devils youth academy product scored 179 times and registered 61 assists.