Shirts worn by defenders who were tormented by George Best are among rare items for sale in an auction of memorabilia owned by the family of the late footballing legend this week.

If football teams are inspired by great deeds of yesteryear then Manchester United should have every chance of progressing to the Champions League knockout stages when they take on Benfica tomorrow night in the Stadium of Light.

Alex Ferguson may be without the talents of the injured Roy Keane and David Beckham, but two even greater forces should propel Manchester United towards their second Champions League final in four years.