From The Guardian:
‘There was one minute of passionate applause for George Best but the 90 that followed were an even more perfectly articulated commemoration of the best loved of all Manchester United's footballers. While some might call it an old-fashioned, 1960s sort of game, this was actually the type of vibrant contest that football must always keep in its repertoire.
Sir Alex Ferguson cherished the heartfelt nature of the afternoon. "I thought it was a fantastic reception," said the United manager. "Thanks to the West Ham fans. That was truly remarkable. The lucky thing we had was coming to a great club that loves and appreciates great players."
The other value of the match was entirely without sentiment yet bulging with importance to the visitors. The slick and forceful football produced at The Valley last weekend was again unleashed. That, by itself, does not prove that United are resurgent on all fronts and, when victory is essential in
Nonetheless, it is possible to believe that United will hold their form together in the Premiership. There were overtones of
The reservations about United's midfield will surface again but there was more than enough vitality in this domestic contest.