Manchester United mourns Denis Law. As the family of the Scot confirmed on Friday, the former striker passed away at the age of 84.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sad passing of our father, Denis Law. He fought a tough battle and has now finally found peace,” his family wrote, thanking everyone who ”contributed to his well-being and care. We know how much people supported and loved him – and that love was always appreciated and made all the difference.”
With Law, the last player of Manchester United’s “Holy Trinity” – the holy trinity in whose honor a bronze statue was erected in front of Old Trafford – has now also passed away, following the death of George Best in 2005 and Bobby Charlton, whose death was mourned in 2023. The trio formed the core of the United team that returned to domestic and European glory in the years following the devastating Munich air disaster of 1958, which wiped out half the promising ‘Busby Babes’ squad.
They were English champions twice, with Law being named top player in Europe in 1964, Charlton in 1966, the year he won the World Cup, and finally the young Best in 1968. In 404 games, Law scored 237 goals for the “Red Devils”.
Scotland’s record goalscorer never played in Scotland
Born in Aberdeen in 1940, Law never played for a Scottish club. Rather, he joined Huddersfield directly after school and transferred to Manchester City five years later for a then-record sum of £55,000. However, he was not happy at the Skyblues, nor in Turin. But in 1962/63 he returned to Manchester, this time to join United, and found his luck.
On his debut in August 1962, he scored against West Bromwich Albion – and it was not to be the last goal. Law celebrated many more goals over the years with a gesture that became his trademark: hand on sleeve, arm in the air and fingers pointing skywards. Law became a crowd favorite, not least because he combined virtues such as technique, skill and fighting spirit. He was also respected by his opponents, as exemplified by a statement from Liverpool legend Bill Shankly, who once said of Law: “Denis Law can dance on eggshells.”
Between 1958 and 1974, Law played 55 international matches for Scotland and scored 30 goals – he is thus the most prolific scorer in the history of the Bravehearts, together with Kenny Dalglish.
Law’s death is being mourned beyond Manchester United and Scotland. Numerous English clubs, including United’s biggest rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as Glasgow Rangers, have posted condolences on United’s Instagram page following the club legend’s death.
