In terms of playing styles, George Best and Gary Neville were polar opposites.
Aside from the fact that they played in different eras, one was a winger blessed with natural flair and skill, while the other was a dependable yet highly respected full-back, who by his own admission had to work hard at his game.
However, there are similarities between the two. Not only are they held in the highest regard by Manchester United supporters, having made 1,072 appearances for the club between them, but they also represented the Red Devils for the last time on this very day, albeit 37 years apart.
Many believe that Best was just that - the best. He spent 11 years at Old Trafford (with the exception of a brief self-enforced retirement in Marbella), with two league titles and a European Cup to show for his 470 outings. His off-field exploits have been well documented, but that has not stopped people from mentioning his name in the same sentence as Pele, Diego Maradona and co.
Nevertheless, the curtain came down on his United career in bleak fashion. Loftus Road was the venue, where a portly, heavily-bearded Best took to the field on New Year's Day. The visitors were thrashed 3-0, with Stan Bowles scoring twice.
The Guardian reported: "Stan Bowles, turning effortlessly and consistently past Martin Buchan, gave the match the sort of individual appeal that once drew crowds in their thousands to watch George Best. [He] was playing yesterday, heavily producing half remembered tricks but all the time lacking the burst of speed that used to take him away from danger once he had beaten his man. Seldom can he have been caught in possession so often, though to his credit he could not be faulted for lack of effort."
Best failed to turn up to training in the aftermath of the loss, which proved a step too far for manager Tommy Docherty. He dropped the Northern Irishman for the next weekend's FA Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle and a disgruntled Best would never wear the red shirt again.
Fast-forward to 2011 and the sun was about to set on another United career. Between 1995 and 2007, stalwart Neville had not only been Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice right-back, he was also one of the manager's most trusted servants.
© Getty Images
A broken ankle suffered during a match against Bolton Wanderers in March 2007 wiped out an entire year for the defender and despite displaying the determination to make a recovery, there was a feeling that the injury had hampered his game - deep down, Neville probably knew as much.
It all came to a head with a visit to West Bromwich Albion three years ago. Neville had not played since a League Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October and in truth, it showed. He was lucky to escape a red card for a challenge on Graham Dorrans, while he was handed a torrid afternoon by the pace of Jerome Thomas.
In the 71st minute, the assistant referee held up the number two and Neville was off, replaced by young Brazilian Fabio da Silva. As he found his place on the bench, there was an impression that the end had come. It took another month for the confirmation, but on February 2, Neville hung up his boots with 602 appearances to his name and a bulging trophy cabinet.
"I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I've ever had. I have played in the most incredible football teams, playing with some of the best players in the world, as well as against them, and I have been lucky to be a part of the team's achievements and the club's great success," he said at the time.
"There have also been so many great players that I have had the privilege to train and play alongside. The experiences we've shared will be with me for the rest of my life."
Liam Apicella
