My first Utd match was on TV - the 1968 European Cup Final. My father was a City supporter, but the match was such a big event for the city, I was allowed to stay up to watch it.
Best was our most highly rated player, but the sad decline in his personal life meant he wasn't a good role model. The 1970s were not good years for the club, and I didn't really have heroes, but the first player I remember really admiring who came closest to being a hero was Bryan Robson, a true leader.
Two players who made an impression for their sharp intelligence were Martin Buchan, who was the cool player to follow for every United-supporting teenager at the time and I'm told is a talented linguist; and Brian McClair, who combined playing for Utd with studying maths at Glasgow University and has an hilarious, dry, deadpan sense of humour. Both were players of stature in the recent history of the club and fine footballers.
Now one person who was indisputably a hero was Sir Alex, and I remain in awe of him to this day.