George Best is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in Manchester United’s history.
The Northern Irishman won a Ballon d’Or during his time at Old Trafford, while he famously scored in the 1968 European Cup final.
Of course, Best was a star at United, but he was flanked by two absolute legends as well in the shapes of Dennis Law and Bobby Charlton.
Best was brilliant, but his teammates certainly helped him as well.
Best played with two of the best attackers of his generation, and speaking to FourFourTwo in 2001, Best was asked which of Manchester United’s crop of strikers he’d have liked to have played with.
United had tons of quality strikers at that point from Andy Cole to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, according to Best, the striker he would’ve most liked to have played with was Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Van Nistelrooy was a world-class finisher at United, and Best reckons they would’ve worked very well together.
George Best wishes he played with Ruud van Nistelrooy
Best responded when asked which United striker he’d most liked to have played with.
The United legend said that Andy Cole was too moody for his liking, and while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a wonderful player, he’d most liked to have played with Van Nistelrooy.
“Well, it wouldn’t be Andy Cole. He’s a great player, but he seems a bit moody, like he’s not enjoying himself and it’s just a job to him,” Best said.
“I like the way Dwight Yorke plays with a smile on his face. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spends most of his time on the bench, but looks wonderful when he comes on.
“However, if I had to pick one, it would be Van Nistelrooy. I think we would have linked up well. He is going to be a great striker at United and I look forward to watching him blossom. He’ll score loads of goals. I certainly hope he does anyway – he’s in my dream team!”
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tribute to George Best
Best said that he would’ve linked up well with Van Nistelrooy, and he wasn’t wrong.
Indeed, van Nistelrooy was a world-class striker on his day, and his stats for Manchester United show it.
| Ruud van Nistelrooy stats for Manchester United | |
|---|---|
| 219 | |
| Goals | 150 |
| Assists | 29 |
Van Nistelrooy certainly knew where the back of the net was, and if he had a magician like Best alongside him, he’d surely have scored even more.
Sadly, Best would pass away in 2005, and, rather fittingly, Van Nistelrooy would score and pay tribute to the United legend in the very next game after his death.
“You can feel his spirit in the stadium,” Van Nistelrooy said, via the MEN.
“We have all been watching his goals and dribbles on TV and I could not keep my eyes off the funeral.
“It was amazing listening to the minute’s applause this evening. It made it such a great occasion.”
If you were building an all-time Manchester United XI, you could do a lot worse than having Best and Van Nistelrooy in the same side.
