The doctors gave up hope yesterday, after Best spent almost eight weeks in Cromwell Hospital in West London, initially being admitted with a kidney infection.
Best’s physician Professor Roger Williams had grown increasingly concerned over the past couple of days and conceded on Thursday lunchtime that his patient was living through his final hours.
During a glittering playing career, Best was an Old Trafford hero and helped the club to win the European Cup against Benfica in 1968.
He also picked up the European Footballer of the Year accolade the same year and scored a plethora of memorable goals.
In recent years, Best had been working as a pundit for Sky Sports and he will leave a legacy as one of the best players the world of football has ever seen.