Man Utd legend missed iconic Champions League win in 1999 after 'leaving 15 mins early'

Manchester United legend George Best missed the final 15 minutes of the infamous 1999 Champions League final, Gary Lineker has recalled.

Best was present at the Camp Nou at Barcelona to watch Sir Alex Ferguson's side attempt to become the first English club to complete the traditional treble.

They famously came from behind to secure a 2-1 triumph, after Mario Basler opened the scoring inside just six minutes.

Injury time goals from Teddy Sheringham and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completed one of club football's greatest triumphs.

Best, who died in 2005 aged 59, was still involved in football at the turn of the century as he worked on the Soccer Saturday analyst panel and as an occasional commentator.

The story of the Northern Ireland icon leaving Camp Nou early has been told on numerous occasions over the years, with Lineker discussing it on the latest episode of 'Stick to Football'.

He recalled: "I was at that game in 1999, and I sat behind George Best.

"George Best left the ground with about 15 minutes to go. He did, bless him. And he missed the magical moment!"

Lineker continued: "I lost my wallet when Manchester United scored their second!

"I lost it. It was so exciting at the end of the game. I jumped up and I think it fell out of my pocket - or it got lifted at that point."

Months after the final, in October 1999, Best paid a glowing tribute to Ferguson before his testimonial game between United and a Rest of the World Select side.

He said: "He handles it amazingly. He did it at Aberdeen and they won almost everything.

"You look at their record - they've never finished outside the top two since the Premiership started and won everything.

"I think the fact that this is a full house, and the players he's brought in for the Rest of the World, shows the amount of respect people have about him.

"I get on great with him. He was the first interview I ever did for Sky. We were hoping for about 10 minutes and he gave us an hour."