Manchester United Legend George Best Was Originally Called 'Ronald Samuel Best'

George Best is considered one of the greatest footballers in Manchester United's history, but a new nugget of information about the Swinging 60s icon has only just emerged.

For the first few days of his life, the 1968 Ballon d'Or winner wasn't called George Best at all, but rather "Ronald Samuel Best."

The revelation was discovered by the Belfast Telegraph, who dug out his birthday certificate.

As per the Northern Irish paper:

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His birth certificate shows a disparity between the Christian names given when he was born, on May 22, 1946, and the one he was later baptised with. 

It indicates the name "Ronald Samuel Best" was initially registered on May 27, five days after his birth, but subsequently changed to one single name, "George".

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Even his family are confused about the origin of the name "Ronald Samuel."

Norman McNarry, who is married to George's sister Barbara, told the Belfast Telegraph:

"

Barbara hasn't a clue about the name change on the birth certificate and she doesn't think anyone can explain how it happened. It's a grey area as far as we're concerned.

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Best died in 2005 aged 59 after a long battle with alcoholism. 

[Belfast Telegraph]