It's
easy to argue against him:
You could reasonably say that he wasn't a serious footballer anymore at the stage we're talking about here.
He fecked off for a week during the season (the only possible full season you can bring up in his favour) to booze it up and bang Miss World (or whatever she was).
He had started to not give a feck, in short – partly believing his own hype, partly being angry at United for growing old on him, as it were.
His immense talent meant that he was still dangerous when he put the effort in, but he was obviously miles away from the George Best who shows up in GOAT debates. Which means that picking him - nevermind picking him first - is either entirely pointless or some kind of piss-take (but for what reason).
There - done. But it ain't done. Because we'll be going over this again when the matches come around - and if there are sheer scan voters involved, who knows to what extent they will pay any attention to whatever arguments are offered.
Anyway - forget it for now. Let's just move on and see what happens.
For the record,
@BeforeKeanetherewasRobson - what I suggested was to block the GOATs. Just them - other players who were decidedly over the hill aren't problematic: Because they ain't GOATs, simply put.