George Best's career highlights

Best made his debut for Manchester United in 1963 and starred as United won the league in 1965 and 1967

United won the European Cup in 1968 as Best (right) took the European Player of the Year accolade

In 1964 Best made his debut for Northern Ireland but never represented his country in a major tournament

Best shocked the football world when he walked out of Old Trafford and British football at the age of 27

Best returned to England from America in 1976 to join Fulham but did not stay at Craven Cottage for long

Best played for a host of clubs in the US alongside legends such as Pele before retiring in 1983

Best was given the freedom of Castlereagh in Belfast before a successful life-saving liver transplant in 2002