George Best: 1946-2005

“Manchester United’s glorious history has been created by people like George Best,” says Bobby Charlton, who spent almost 10 years alongside him at Old Trafford.

He has gone somewhere now where no one can hurt him any more. He is safe now.

- Agent Phil Hughes, who was with Best in good times and bad for more than 25 years.

In the long run, after knowing him for such a long time, I think it’s the best thing. He would have been slightly like a vegetable and he wouldn’t have liked that. It’s awful to say, but in a way, it was a blessing.

- Denis Law, speaking outside the London hospital where Best spent his final days.

He was a lovely guy. I don’t know how he remained as humble as he did in the world in which he lived, which was the goldfish bowl. He had stardust on him, absolute stardust.

- Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson.

He was 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.

- Former Republic of Ireland and Leeds midfielder Johnny Giles.

As a Manchester United fan I always saw George Best as a football legend and it was a proud moment for me when I wore the same number seven shirt as him. He is one of the greatest players to have ever graced the game and a great person as well. My thoughts are with his family.

- David Beckham.

George was the love of my life. He was a unique and talented person who made a lot of people very happy.

- Alex Best, who was married to the footballer from 1995 to 2004.

You couldn’t kick him off the ball or bully him out of a game. In fact, he thrived on that. He would always come back when I had the ball and say ‘give it to me’ and then go and beat the defenders who were trying to kick him - it was his way of making them feel smaller.

- Pat Jennings, who made his Northern Ireland debut in the same 1964 match as Best.

The thing I remember, apart from his talent, was his courage. I can see him flying down the wing riding tackles from people like Ron Harris, Tommy Smith and Norman Hunter. They were serious guys, you didn’t mess with them, yet he rode all that. Every time he went down he got up again and just said ‘Give me the ball’. That will stick in my mind forever.

- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

I never saw him but I got quite tired of my dad talking about him. Then I saw videos of him and I never tired of them. Players like Best they never die, what they leave behind them never dies.

- Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

He was a phenomenal player, he scored some phenomenal goals. I had many idols and icons that I looked up to. George Best was one of them.

- Ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne.

This feels like a loss for the whole of the football world and the general public as well. He was a part of everyone’s lives, not just on but off the pitch as well.

- Gordon Taylor, head of the Professional Footballers Association.

The world of football has lost a great. Personally, I’ve lost a great old friend. I feel sorry for his family.

- Portuguese legend Eusebio, perhaps Best’s most famous international adversary during his heyday in the 1960s.

He was a superstar and had a special charisma. He played with an artistic view of the game. That’s why he’s in the hearts of everyone.

- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

George Best was a wonderfully gifted sportsman whose skills dazzled a generation of soccer fans. He will be remembered as one of the world’s finest football talents.

- President Mary McAleese.

George was one of my great sporting heroes ... In the days ahead people will struggle with words to try to describe his talent.

- Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

He was just this gorgeous, young, talented kid. He got a lot of money every week and could not deal with it.

- Bob Geldof.

I’m proud to say I knew him not just as a footballer and a team-mate but as a person and a friend.

- Former Northern Ireland and Man Utd goalkeeper Harry Gregg.