Northern Ireland legend Sammy McIlroy says watching George Best “made me want to be a footballer” before getting to know the Manchester United icon after following in his footsteps by joining one of the world’s most famous clubs.

Ahead of what would have been Best’s 80th birthday on Friday (May 22), McIlroy has been reliving his memories of a “lovely lad” who became a superstar but always had time to help those from home.

McIlroy was 13 when he watched Best play against Scotland at Windsor Park in October 1967 – that would be known as ‘the George Best match’ with many insisting it was his best performance for Northern Ireland.

The dazzling display provided McIlroy with a source of motivation to forge his own career and only a matter of years later he would be referring to his hero Best as a United team-mate.

placeholder image — George Best playing for Manchester United against Chelsea in Division One in March 1969. (Photo by Ian McLennan/Getty Images)

McIlroy made 419 appearances during his 11-year senior stay at Old Trafford between 1971 and 1982 after making a move from Belfast.

His first three seasons were spent playing alongside Best, who had won the Ballon d’Or in 1968 and led United to First Division title glory in both 1965 and 1967.

Despite his worldwide fame, Best was on hand to help McIlroy settle in England after joining United as an apprentice in 1969 – he would become Sir Matt Busby’s final signing – and he reflects fondly on their interactions.

"I never saw another performance like it in my life," reflected McIlroy to the BBC on watching Best against Scotland as a teenager. "It was a one-man show.

"He made me want to be a footballer. He made me want to join Manchester United. Everything came naturally to him. Left foot, right foot, shoot, head, tackle.

"He was a natural lad, a lovely lad. He spent a little bit of time with me, as he did with the all the other Belfast trialists that came over.

"George always had time for you, I really admired that.

"When I signed as an apprentice in 1969, I brought my mum and dad over and right away he came across and spoke to them.

"I was standing there listening to him telling my parents he would look after me.

"My dad's eyes were just glued on Bestie. He never opened his mouth, he was just in awe of George."

Best departed United in 1974 as a two-time league winner and European champion, making the final appearance of his career for Tobermore United a decade later.

Described as “the greatest player to ever pull on the green shirt of Northern Ireland”, Best scored nine times across his 37 international matches.

He sadly passed away aged 59 in November 2005, but his legacy lives on with Best remembered as one of the top talents of all-time.

"Lionel Messi is close to Best in the way he plays,” added McIlroy. “He can dribble, beat people, score goals and make goals.

"Messi has got this amazing dribbling ability. Best had that too but it was in the 1960s, when the conditions were much different to the way they are now.

"The pitches were terrible and your opponents wanted to hurt you. Norman Hunter, Tommy Smith and Ron Harris were good players but they were cruel in the way they played.

"It didn't bother George, it didn't matter who was dishing it out. He used to take the rough stuff, get up and say, 'come on then, let's have some more'.”