Manchester United paid a touching tribute to Denis Law before their Premier League clash with Brighton.
United are mourning the loss of the legendary Scotland striker, who sadly passed away at the age of 84 after a battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The Aberdeen-born goalscoring icon – hailed as Scotland’s greatest player – notched an incredible 237 goals in 404 appearances for the Red Devils.
And it was an emotional afternoon at Old Trafford on Sunday as Man United honoured the 1968 European Cup-winning great before kick-off. Law was the last living member of the club’s famous ‘Holy Trinity’ and fans have been laying down flowers and shirts by the statue where he has been immortalised along with fellow late idols Bobby Charlton and George Best.
As the players emerged from the tunnel wearing black armbands, they were slowly led out by pipers playing Flower of Scotland, with a ‘King of the Stretford End’ banner held aloft in the stands. Captain Bruno Fernandes also carried a wreath onto the pitch, which was laid on the centre circle by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The ground fell silent when a beautiful poem was read out, with stadium announcer Alan Keegan saying: “Beyond the goals, the man stood tall, a heart of gold who inspired all. He’s still the King of the Stretford End.” Both sets of fans then impeccably observed a minute’s applause for the only Scot to be crowned Europe’s best footballer.
Fergie – who was joined by Pat Crerand, Alex Stepney and Brian Kidd – paid his own tribute to Law before the game, praising the impact Scotland’s joint top all-time scorer made after the Munich air disaster of 1958. He told MUTV: “He was the best Scottish player of all time. United had George Best and Bobby Charlton, but they called him The King. When he joined us in 1963 he turned the club around. That’s the greatest thing he could ever have done.
“The part he played at that time was so vital to the renovation of the team. I think most people always remember that signing from Italy. It was a cornerstone of their future success.”
