Manchester United legend Denis Law has died, the club announced on Friday night.
Law, one of Manchester United’s ‘Holy Trinity’ with busts at Old Trafford (the others are the late George Best and Bobby Charlton), passed away at the age of 84.
“Manchester United is deeply saddened to share the following statement on behalf of the Law family: ‘It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.
“‘We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.
“We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference. Thank you.'”
Law joined forces with Charlton and Best to inspire United’s 1960s rebirth from the ashes of the 1958 Munich plane crash that clsumed the lives of a generation og players.
Law’s time with United was a golden era and a statue — his finger pointed to the air in trademark celebration alongside Charlton and Best — stands outside Old Trafford to commemorate his iconic 11-year stay.
With 237 goals in 404 appearances in all competitions, Law ranks as the third highest scorer in United’s history.
Nicknamed ‘the king’ by fans, Law was the first of only four United players to win the coveted Ballon d’Or — he earned the prize for Europe’s top player in 1964 — and in 2003 was voted Scotland’s “most outstanding player of the past 50 years”.
Alex Ferguson, United’s most successful manager, was awed by his compatriot’s predatory instincts.
“To me, Denis is the best Scottish player without question. He was so lightning quick and had such reflexes that there was nothing he couldn’t achieve in the penalty box,” Ferguson said.
“A cross would come and he’d jack-knife up out of nothing and knock a header in. He had a combination of incredible reactions, timing and awareness.”
Law was born in Aberdeen in 1940, the son of a trawlerman and the youngest of seven children.
