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SCMP Reporter

LEGENDARY superstar George Best believes today's top-notch players are a bunch of wimps.

  And the former idol of Old Trafford also took a swipe at current Manchester United striker Andy Cole, among others, saying he 'couldn't play' and that they 'weren't worth the transfer money'.

  Best, 52, in Hong Kong to promote a new sports club involved in overseas betting, gave his frank views during an RTHK Radio 3 lunchtime programme and to guests enjoying a private function at the Island Shangri La Hotel.

  The congenial Northern Irishman expanded his views on many facets of today's game and the attitudes of players during forthright exchanges but made his controversial outburst while talking about recent rule changes, especially the new World Cup edict on the challenge from behind.

  Best said: 'Rules changes have made it a game for softies. If you are telling someone you cannot tackle it is so ridiculous and stupid, in fact unbelievable.

  'It is like telling a rugby player not to tackle. You can't go near the goalkeeper nowadays, you can't do anything. I am thinking of making a comeback if you don't have to tackle and can't be tackled.

  'When I was playing there were guys like Ron (Chopper) Harris to contend with but their style of 'hard but fair' wouldn't be tolerated nowadays. The physical side of the game has now all but gone.

  'The money side of the game has also gone beyond belief. Players are being signed for huge packages and clubs are paying ?20 million for players who just cannot play.

  'I would love to be able to step back 25 years and find out how much I would be worth at today's prices and deals.'   When pressed to name a player who didn't live up to his evaluation, Best said: 'Andy Cole'.

  The former Northern Ireland international, who scored the first goal in extra time during Manchester United's 4-1 win over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final at Wembley, also waxed lyrical about the health of today's game compared with a generation gone by.

  He said: 'I think the introduction of the Premier League and the influx of television money and the exposure given has started to heighten the presence of the game again.

  'I was lucky to to play in the 60s and 70s when every team had three or four great players, great personalities. Then it dropped off a little but now, with the foreign players coming in it is getting back to what it was.

  'I played in a decade which was very special. England won the World Cup, we won the European Cup and Celtic won it in 1967. The game is now getting back to what it should be in England.

  'I also think that changing the points system from two to three for a win has affected the league a lot. '   The erstwhile Red Devil, however, had bad news for the club's army of fans throughout the world when he said United's chances of retaining the championship were: 'Nil, which is a real shame'.

   But he did give a glimmer of hope for the future by saying: 'I am a bit disappointed to say the least when you think that we were something like 13 points clear at one stage. Now Arsenal have hit a purple patch and United are going through a real bad time.

  'We have won the double twice in the last few years and won the championship four times so now we are giving the others a chance. It's Arsenal's turn this year.'   Best also said he thought United's preoccupation with the Champions' League and the European Cup had an adverse affect on Alex Ferguson's side.

  'I think it [winning the European Cup] has become a little bit of a Holy Grail. They have got into Europe so many times in recent years and Fergie must be sick of reading about the 1968 side.

  'I believe, though, it is just a matter of time before they win it. I think everyone thought they would win it this year, especially when you look at the players they have got; the young players coming through and the fact that Juventus looked out of it in the group stages.

  'Now Juventus are in the final and they will win it,' Best said in a derisory tone.

  The Irishman also touched on his wayward past and revealed that United boss Ferguson used him as a negative 'role model' when talking to young players and parents about their responsibilities.

  'Players like Ryan Giggs and David Beckham are protected by their clubs nowadays and are less likely to ruin their careers through outside influences.

  'When I was a player, clubs hadn't seen the sort of phenomenon that was evolving. I was 19 or 20 and driving a Rolls Royce, earning a lot of money but with no guidance.

  'I actually spoke to Alex Ferguson a few months ago and said 'Hopefully you have learnt . . .'   'He said 'I hold you up as a role model when I speak to the kids and it's not meant as an insult. I tell their parents and I tell the kids not to go down the same road, but it is meant as a compliment because we have learnt from the experiences.'   'That, for me, was very comforting.'   Best, who works as a pundit for Britain's Sky Television in addition to having other business interests inc-luding a coffee shop/ restaurant in Knightsbridge, played twice for Hong Kong clubs in 1982 and guested in a star-studded five-a-side tournament here in 1988.

  He said: 'I have always enjoyed my visits to Hong Kong and I hope to return again.'   That may not be too long in coming as the Hong Kong branch of the Manchester United Supporters' Club intend to invite their long-term hero to be guest speaker, along with Denis Law and Premier League referee Neil Midgely, at a function during the coming season.

  Club secretary Rick Adkinson said: 'We are talking to the people who handle George's affairs [no pun intended] and hope to bring him to Hong Kong next season, along with Denis and Neil.

  'We had hoped to get Bobby Charlton to accompany them on the visit but it looks as though his schedule is too busy.' 



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