Man U hope to honour Best with Euro victory

MIDFIELDER Juan Mata hailed George Best “a genius forever” as an injury-hit Manchester United aim to mark the 10th anniversary of the Northern Irishman’s death with a Champions League victory against PSV Eindhoven tonight. Best, who made 361 appearances for United and helped them win the European Cup in 1968, died on November 25 2005 at the age of 59 after a long struggle with alcoholism. “Yesterday, I watched a documentary about his life and football career,” Mata wrote in his weekly blog. “He was one of the best players of Manchester United, and one of the best in the history of football.” Louis van Gaal’s side could be without nine frontline players for the visit of Dutch champions PSV in Group B after defender Phil Jones (ankle) and midfielder Ander Herrera (hamstring) were injured in the Premier League win at Watford.

Striker Wayne Rooney is also a doubt after missing Saturday’s match with an illness, while 19-year-old French forward Anthony Martial has a foot injury. United could also be without James Wilson, who injured his knee in training, while Michael Carrick damaged an ankle on England duty, Marouane Fellaini has yet to return from a calf injury and Antonio Valencia will be out until January after having foot surgery. Old Trafford fans could be planning a hot reception for PSV’s Hector Moreno, whose sliding tackle resulted in Luke Shaw’s broken leg in United’s 2-1 away defeat in their opening match of the group in September. United have since beaten VfL Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow at home as well as drawing 1-1 in Moscow to lead Group B by one point from PSV and Wolfsburg. “We could make an important step to finish first in our group in the Champions League, and we could climb to the top of the Premier League. This is how we face this new week,” Mata said, referring also to Saturday’s Premier League game against leaders Leicester City. PSV trail table-toppers Ajax by four points in the Dutch league, and manager Philip Cocu blames a lack of concentration after they squandered yet another lead before rescuing a 2-2 draw against Willem II Tilburg on Saturday.