From his column in The Times:
Players like me owe a lot to George Best because he helped to build the legend that is Manchester United. Perhaps we owe George more than most because he epitomised the flair and the magic that has always been associated with this great club down the years.
From what I have seen and heard, he seemed to own the stage when he played at Old Trafford. And, of course, he helped to win those trophies — the championship and the European Cup — which are now the benchmark for every United team.
He is up there among the greatest United players because, just as my grandad would talk about Duncan Edwards, my Dad would pass down the stories about George Best. Growing up, my hero was Bryan Robson and I know that if I had been a young lad in the last decade, I would have idolised Roy Keane.
These are the heroes who inspire young Reds, and other kids far and wide, to want to become footballers and it would be wrong to do a column without speaking about Roy, the most influential player I have come across. The manager summed it up when he described Roy as the greatest midfield player of his generation. There have probably been more talented footballers in his position, but no one could match him for overall effect. He was a great presence at United, a man who could lift everyone around him. Even when you thought you were giving 100 per cent, he would somehow squeeze another 10 out of you.
You might believe that you were playing well, but then you would drop a throw-in a couple of yards short instead of to feet. Roy would be on to you in an instant and that ability to drive others to produce their very best was probably his greatest attribute. People compare him to Patrick Vieira, but they were a world apart in terms of the influence they exerted on their teams.