Best better and off ventilator

MANCHESTER UNITED and Northern Ireland legend George Best opened his eyes yesterday and started to breathe without the help of a ventilator.

The European Cup winner is still in a serious condition in hospital but doctors expected him to be fully woken up by late last night his agent Phil Hughes said.

The 59-year-old is still suffering from internal bleeding and kidney problems, but doctors are “very pleased” with his progress.

Speaking outside the private Cromwell Hospital in west London, Mr Hughes said Best gripped his hand when he spoke to him earlier yesterday. “He’s a little better. They are very pleased. They are starting to wake him up. I started to talk to him and he gripped my hand,” he said.

Best’s condition deteriorated severely last week after four weeks of hospital treatment for an infection.