Tributes have flooded in in the wake of the death of Manchester United legend Denis Law after the club announced his passing on Friday night.
Law, who scored 30 goals in 55 internationals for Scotland, has died at the age of 84. He had been battling Alzheimer’s and dementia, and was diagnosed with both diseases in 2021.
While he would enjoy spells at Huddersfield Town, Manchester City and Torino, it is for his exploits with Manchester United that Law is best remembered.
He became the only Scottish player to date to win the Ballon d’Or, football’s highest individual honour, in 1964, and won four major awards with the Red Devils, including a European Cup in 1967-68.
“Everyone at Manchester United is mourning the loss of Denis Law, the king of the Stretford End, who has died aged 84,” the club wrote.
“With 237 goals in 404 appearances, he will always be celebrated as one of the club’s greatest and most loved players.
Denis Law (left) has died at the age of 84, as confirmed by his family in a statement
Law (third left forward) scored 237 goals for the Red Devils in 404 appearances over 11 years.
Law is United’s third top scorer of all time behind Wayne Rooney and Charlton
‘The top scorer, his style, spirit and love of the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences to Denis’ family and many friends. His memory will live forever.”
After Manchester United announced the tragic news on Friday night, Scottish giants Rangers were among the first to pay tribute to Law.
“The thoughts of everyone at Rangers are with the Law family at this sad time,” the club wrote on X in response to United’s announcement.
The Scottish FA added: ‘A true great. We will never see his likes again. Denis Ley. 1940-2025.’
Manchester City, where he joined directly from United in 1973 for the second time, declared: “All of Manchester, including everyone at City, is in mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Denis in this difficult time.
Liverpool’s official account recounted a famous quote from their former legendary figure Bill Shankly about Law, writing: “Condolences are sent from all of us at LFC.
‘Denis was a rival player but very considerate. As Bill Shankly once said: “Denis Law could dance on eggshells.” “Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this very sad time.”
Another of Law’s former clubs, Huddersfield Town, remembered the great Scot as “a sporting immortal”.
Law (left) was hailed as the ‘King of the Stretford End’ by Man United after the news broke.
‘Everyone at Huddersfield Town is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Denis Law. A legend not only of our great Club, but an immortal of the sport as a whole, he will be deeply missed and we will all cherish his memory.
‘Our collective thoughts are with Denis’ family and loved ones at this time. Once a Terrier, always a Terrier
BBC 5 Live Sport remembered a ‘true hero of a generation’ in its own post: ‘Scotland and Manchester United legend Denis Law has sadly passed away at the age of 84.
‘A true hero of a generation. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and all those who knew him.”
Fellow former United player Brian Kidd added, according to Andy Mitten: “He was thin, with the heart of a lion.
“An incredible finisher, he scored all kinds of goals. He told me: ‘If you ever go wide, don’t look up, get the cross in early.’ If I’m not here, it’s my fault.”
It was usually there. Sir Matt loved him. We all did it. He was the king of Stretford End.
Law was part of the famous United Trinity alongside George Best and England World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton, who died in 2005 and 2023 respectively.
Law was awarded a CBE in the 2016 New Year Honors for services to football and charity
Tributes to Law poured in from across the football world as the sport mourned an icon
In his 11 years at Old Trafford, Law would score 237 goals in 404 games in all competitions and goes down in history as one of the club’s greatest legends.
The English Football League added: “An incredible career and an iconic player.” Denis Law is one of the greatest. “We will miss him very much.”
Bryan Robson, United’s longest-serving captain in their history, paid tribute to the great striker’s “wicked sense of humour” and generosity.
“We have lost one of the giants of football, as a player and as a gentleman. It is incredibly sad,” Robson said.
“Denis was more than a fantastic footballer, he was a fantastic man. Very generous with his time and everything delivered with that great sense of humor of his.
“He would always be in my Manchester United best XI. He was a player that many of his teammates idolized and rightly so, that iconic image of him with his sleeves rolled down and the one-armed salute after scoring.
“I was a bit nervous when I first met him when I joined the club, as was Sir Bobby Charlton. But I had even more respect for Denis once I met him. He was very warm in his welcome and I had instant respect for him. man he was and the personality he had.
‘I was lucky enough to work alongside him on so many events as an ambassador and that wicked sense of humour, no matter the occasion, always shined through. He was always full of life and invariably with a cup of tea in his hand.
Law’s 30 goals in 55 internationals for Scotland are a joint record
Man United legend Bryan Robson paid tribute to Law’s ‘wicked sense of humour’
“No one could better represent what Manchester United stood for than him: full of style on the field and a gentleman off it.”
Broadcaster Eamonn Holmes wrote: ‘Denis Law The Last of the Holy Trinity has left us.
‘One of my first jobs at BBC Northwest was to take it home every Friday night. I don’t think I ever got over that one! RIP, lawyer.’
Law is his country’s leading goalscorer and still holds United’s record for most goals in a single campaign, having scored 46 goals in 1963-64.
A statement from the Law family on Friday evening read: “It is with great sadness that we inform you that our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but is finally at peace now.
‘We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his well-being and care, in the past and much more recently.
‘We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made a difference. Thank you.’