Best’s condition worsening, says Alex

Former Manchester United legend George Best’s condition in hospital has “deteriorated dramatically”, his former wife Alex said tonight.

The former Northern Ireland international has spent three weeks in the private Cromwell Hospital in west London after being struck down with an infection.

His former wife Alex Best said: “I have been told that George’s condition has deteriorated dramatically during today.

“I am just praying that, once again, he somehow manages to pull through against all the odds. My thoughts and prayers are with him.”

Earlier this week his agent Phil Hughes said he was “doing very well” and his condition had improved.

But tonight it appeared that his health had taken a turn for the worse.

It was understood that he was suffering from internal bleeding and was on life support.

Best (aged 59) had a life-saving liver transplant in 2002 following well-documented drinking problems.