Manchester United stutter as Old Trafford remembers the passing of one of the Best

The game against PSV marked 25 years since George Best's death

THE lights which started to pepper first the Stretford End as the seventh minute approached, then slowly opposite and finally around the whole ground, was Old Trafford's tribute to one of their favourite sons.

 

Exactly 10 years to the day George Best died, it was a minute that marked the passing of a man many regard still as the greatest player to wear the No7 shirt.

It is quite an accolade given those who have worn it since have been streaked with the sweat of Bryan Robson, had its collars crowned around Eric Cantona, framed the idol that was David Beckham and graced the brilliant narcissism of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Recent years have not been quite so kind to the shirt, however. And as the phones started to switch off entering the eighth minute more than a few of their owners might have been wondering whether the lights have gone out on that iconic shirt, too.

 

Memphis Depay is the current owner and it is safe to say that, while it is early days, the jury remains out.

It is now six months since his £31million signing from opponents, PSV, and he has yet to set Old Trafford alight.

The young Dutch striker scored a confidence boosting second goal of his Premier League campaign against Watford on Saturday as part of a display which lent encouragement ahead of the clash.

 

Old Trafford paid its respects to one of its greatest players

But, on his display here against his former club, it was promise which once again dissipated.

Deployed on the left side of Anthony Martial, but given licence to roam more centrally, he was in the match early. A misplaced pass to the French striker after three minutes followed quickly by a backheel in the box which failed to connect.

On 13 minutes he was dispossessed easily by Jeffrey Bruma, again just before the halfway mark when he tried to cut inside on to his right foot from the left flank only to telegraph his intentions to Santiago Arias.

There was one shot from distance which was safely grabbed by Jeroen Zoet after a quarter of an hour and a slipped pass to Martial which brought a solid but unstretched save. Aside from that, little to warm the night or stir the memory.

 

His number seven eventually went up in lights after 58 minutes but not quite how he had hoped - next to that of his replacement Ashley Young on the substitute's board. At 21 there is time enough on the side of the young Dutchman.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, here as one of PSV's coaches, insisted before the game that he will do justice to the shirt.

"He has the quality and ability to replicate United's famous number sevens," the former United striker said. "To make a difference at United means really being really brilliant and being decisive in big games. He is not yet ready for that quite yet," he added.

It is worth remembering that United's shirt allocation has not been as assured in recent years with Antonio Valencia and Angel di Maria also wearing the same number.

The banner unveiled on seven minutes read 'Georgie - Simply The Best'. No one present was prepared to challenge that.