Manchester United's latest Best has linked up with York City.

The top-flight titans, whose allure was graced by the mercurial George Best in the 1960s and 1970s, have recommended 19-year-old Russell Best to the Minstermen.

Unlike his illustrious namesake, the 'new' Best is a central defender who has been endorsed as a possible recruit by United boss Alex Ferguson.

The canny United leader was today in York to officially open City's £250,000-plus training complex at Wigginton Road.

Ferguson's City counterpart Alan Little said they would check out the 6ft 3in tall Best this week, starting with an appearance in the reserves tomorrow at home to Huddersfield Town.

Ironically, Best's first competitive mission in the red shirt of York could be marking former City favourite Paul Barnes, who is battling to regain a senior place in the Terriers' senior line-up.

Said Little: "Alex Ferguson contacted us about Best, who United released last week. He's a big lad, but with very quick feet. Alex said he was worth looking at so that's what we'll do over the next few days."

Best hails from the Midlands. He started his career with Notts County last season, but was snapped up on a three-month trial by United earlier in the summer.

The Best link-up is another example of the close relations that have developed between City and United since they were paired in the Coca-Cola Cup three years ago.

In spite of City's audacity in barging United out of the trophy 4-3 over two legs, the relationship between the two has blossomed.

Soon after the cup clash United signed then City trainee goalkeeper Nick Culkin for £100,000, the fee set aside for the establishment of City's training

complex, which Ferguson was opening today. The Red Devils have since taken another City prospect, striker Jonathan Greening, to Old Trafford.

City manager Little confirmed the club was hoping to follow up today's ceremony with an open day enabling fans to watch their favourites train at the 181/2-acre site.

"It's been a significant asset to us already," he enthused. "The players have responded to it well. They are settled there and it's so important for them to be working on such a decent surface and with good facilities.

"So it would be ideal to show off the training ground to our fans to show them what we have got. We will be planning something for the public to come and watch training later on."

Meanwhile, injured midfielders Scott Jordan and Alan Pouton were expected to resume training today.

Pouton missed out on the six-goal thriller with Luton after turning an ankle in training the day before, while Jordan came off just before half-time as a calf injury restricted his mobility.

City will need them fit as they will be without Mark Tinkler at Chesterfield on Saturday when he will be serving a one-match ban for five bookings.

City boss Little was also confident of tying up a permanent deal for on-loan goalkeeper Bobby Mimms today after further talks. "There were just one or two matters to sort out, but I think it will be sealed today," said Little.

City stayed in eighth place after Manchester City crashed to their first home defeat of the season last night. The Maine Road men were beaten 1-0 by Preston, defender Gary Parkinson converting a penalty to push the visitors into second place just one point adrift of Stoke City. The leaders were held to a goal-less draw at their Britannia Stadium home last night by Chesterfield, whom City visit on Saturday.

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