Manchester United Legends : Denis Law

Filed under: Manchester United Football Club, Manchester United Players

Denis Law, simply put, was widely ackowledged to be the most ‘entertaining’ United player ever before the arrival of Eric Cantona. He was a player all the fans loved because he gave absolutely everything when on the pitch. This fierce Scotsman fought for everything and was afraid of nobody, few players could match his competitive instincts.

Of only medium height and slim in build, Law had a lions heart and a salmons leap. Always playing with his long shirt sleeves distinctively gripped in each fist, he could frequently out-jump much taller men to score with his head. Denis could score from anywhere and close in he was lethal. If the keeper fumbled he pounced and within seconds the Law-man was wheeling off, arm up in celebration.

Law’s most important abilities were awareness and anticipation. He always seemed to see the action slightly ahead of everyone else and with his superb reflexes he knew how to use that to deadly advantage. He started his footballing career with Huddersfield town in 1956. After an unhappy time in Italy with Torino he joined United with a new British record transfer fee of £115,000 in August 1962. He scored two goals on his debut in 1962 and after scoring in United’s FA Cup Final win of 1963, a stream of goals followed. 160 of them in only 222 games over his first five seasons. Many of them were outrageous, some seemingly impossible, but everything was done with a confident arrogant style the fans found irresistible.

Law won the European Footballer of the Year award in 1964 and captained the team on several occasions. He helped United win the league twice, 1965 and 1967, forming the legendary trio of Best, Law and Charlton. On the International scene he was a regular
up front with Scotland. Law played in many a clash with England, most famously when they beat the then World Champions 3-2 at Wembley in 1967.

He played for Scotland a total of 55 times and olds the joint Scottish international goal scoring record with 30 goals longside Kenny Dalglish. Sadly, such was his fierce competitiveness Law was sometimes injured, no more costly than when he missed the 1968 European Cup triumph because of a knee injury.

Controversially, in 1973 he was given a free transfer by Tommy Docherty but had more good times with Manchester City and Scotland. In an infamous incident at Old Trafford 1974 with United deep in trouble at the foot of the league and playing City, Law in the 85th minute half-heartedly back-heeled the ball into United’s net. It won the game for City 1-0 and United were consequently relegated.

The devastation on Law’s face after the goal showed the bond he still had with his old club. In fact, it was his last ever kick in League football as he was so downcast he retired straight after the game. The fact the United fans never blamed him for it showed their great affection and respect for him also. His career in football ended after playing for Scotland in the 1974 World Cup. Since then he has been involved in media work and working currently for BBC Radio 5, Sky and MUTV.

Denis Law will always be remembered as a great, a player to set the passions and imagination of every fan on fire. The ultimate United goal-scorer, the first and some
may still maintain, King of Old Trafford.