Best remembered as United unveil statue of their 'Holy Trinity'

Barbara McNarry recalled the words of her brother, the late George Best, as a statue of him alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law was unveiled at Old Trafford.

The ceremony took place 40 years to the day since Manchester United, with Best and Charlton in the side, lifted the European Cup for the first time. Best was a genius on the pitch but pursued by demons off it and died at the age of 59 in November 2005.

However, according to Mrs McNarry, the statue is a constant reminder of the gifts he brought to the game in general and United in particular.

Star trio: Ex-Manchester United players Sir Bobby Charlton (bottom right) and Denis Law (bottom 2nd right) watched by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson speak after the unveiling of the new statue

She said: "George was always telling me, 'when I am gone they will forget the rubbish and I will be remembered for the football'. That is exactly what has happened today and I take a lot of comfort from that."

Charlton, Best and Law scored 665 goals between them for the club and between 1964 and 1968 all won the coveted European Footballer of the Year award.

Honouring legends: The statue of Manchester United's 'Holy Trinity' of players stands in front of Old Trafford

The statue to the "United Trinity" is the work of sculptor Philip Jackson and stands opposite the one of former manager Sir Matt Busby at the front of the stadium.

The unveiling ceremony was emotional for Mrs McNarry, especially as her father Dickie Best died last month.

She said: "It is a wonderful tribute and such a poignant occasion as it is 40 years since United and George won the European Cup.

"I am just so honoured and humbled to be representing George and my dad, who died just six weeks ago.

"It is appropriate George is there on the statue beside Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton as you always think of the three of them together."

Old Trafford heroes: Denis Law (left), Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton (right) stand in front of the statue

Law said his team-mate was sorely missed.

"The only tragedy is that George is not here," he said. "I am sure he is looking down and thinking what a wonderful tribute it is.

"The sculptor has done a magnificent job and to have a statue erected by the most famous club in the world is a tremendous honour for me."

Charlton described being alongside Best and Law on the statue as "a fantastic compliment".

He added: "Many great players have come through at Manchester United over the years, so this is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me."