Manchester United legend George Best has died. Best was still breathing with the help of a ventilator today after doctors said last night they could do nothing more to save him.

With his family by his bedside the 59-year-old passed away this afternoon.

Best had multiple organ failure following internal bleeding. He was admitted to Cromwell Hospital, west London, on 1 October with flu symptoms.

His consultant Professor Roger Williams said on Thursday he would be "very surprised" if Best survived another 24 hours.

Best was taken off sedation and regained consciousness earlier this week. But his condition then deteriorated with the development of internal bleeding on Wednesday.

Drugs needed after a liver transplant in 2002 had made the recovering alcoholic more susceptible to infection.

Best helped Manchester United win the European Cup in 1968 and he was European Footballer of the Year in the same season.

While his style of football captivated fans around the world, his playboy lifestyle degenerated into alcoholism and bankruptcy.