Best to get rousing send off

Alex Ferguson is predicting Manchester United’s fans will raise the roof for George Best on Saturday.

After standing in solemn silence with posters of Best raised above their heads prior to the 3-1 Carling Cup victory over West Brom, the Red Devils supporters will be given a chance to applaud the Belfast-born legend before the weekend encounter with Portsmouth.

By that time, Best’s funeral will have taken place at Stormont Castle, providing the backdrop to what Ferguson believes will be a send off which, like the player himself, will never be forgotten.

“Saturday is going to be a great occasion,” he said.

“The fans are going to applaud and I do not think anyone will have heard applause like it anywhere in the world.”

Before last night’s encounter, Ferguson met with Best’s son Calum, who was visibly moved by the tributes to his father, both inside and outside the stadium, where Sir Matt Busby Way is being filled by the hour with flowers, shirts, pictures and other memorabilia.