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Saturday September 14 will be the 50th anniversary of George Best 's debut first-team game for Manchester United.

On that day in 1963, a 17-year-old lad from Belfast stepped out onto the pitch and soaked up the atmosphere, but not even the man himself would have estimated the extent of his impact on the game.

Over the next 20 years he changed the way that people thought about football and footballers themselves, his skill on the ball was untouchable, he would skip away from tackles with the drop of a shoulder, with a twist and turn, blessed with natural pace and balance he was every defender's enemy.

He was also an icon off the pitch, hence his nickname as the fifth Beatle, and his eventual reputation as being something of a playboy.

Throughout his life, giants of the game paid tribute to his talent as a footballer, and here we have some of the best quotes about legend and life of George Best .

Skill

“He was able to use either foot - sometimes he seemed to have six.” Sir Matt Busby .

(Image: Unknown)

“I think I’ve found you a genius” telegram sent by scout Bob Bishop to Manchester United upon finding a 15-year-old George Best.

“With feet as sensitive as a pickpocket’s hands, his control of the ball under the most violent pressure was hypnotic.” Hugh McIlvanney .

“Manchester United’s glorious history has been created by people like George Best. Anyone that witnessed what George Best could do on the pitch wished they could do the same.” Sir Bobby Charlton .

(Image: Jasper Juinen)

“It seems impossible to hurt him. All manner of men have tried to intimidate him. Best merely glides along, riding tackles and brushing giants aside like leaves.” Joe Mercer, Manchester City boss (1969) .

“He had the lot: Balance, pace, two good feet, he was brave, strong and a good header of the ball.” Johnny Giles .

“What he had was unique, you can’t coach it.” - Johan Cruyff .

“He was the finest player I ever played with or against. I treasure my memories of him even though on occasions he made me look rather foolish.” Pat Jennings .



Off the pitch

“Some people were calling him a playboy; but no playboy was ever more captive to his craft.” - Arthur Hopcraft, Daily Mirror journalist, 1968.

“It wasn’t difficult for George Best to form an attraction with a young lady.” - Eddie Hindle (Close Friend).

“No player before had captured the public’s imagination off the pitch as well as on it.” - John Roberts, George Best’s ghost-writer and biographer.



The Best

“From 1964 to 1969 he was the best player in the country.” - Denis Law.

“His play by late 1967 had developed into the most exciting individual contribution to football on view in Europe.” Arthur Hopcraft, The Football Man (book), 1968.

(Image: Getty Images)

“George Best was one of the most talented players of all time and probably the best footballer who never made it to a major world final.” - Franz Beckenbauer.

“George was unique, the greatest talent our football ever produced - easily.” - Sir Alex Ferguson.



The Final Word

“I used to dream about taking the ball round the keeper, stopping it on the line and then getting on my hands and knees and heading it into the net. Against Benfica in the final I nearly did it, but then chickened out. I might have given the boss a heart attack.” (George Best).

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50 Years of George Best, an illustrative look of the life and career of George Best, is on sale from the Mirror Collection Website or can be purchased by calling the Mirror Bookstore on 0845 143 0001.