Sir Alex Ferguson delivered a moving tribute to Denis Law after the Manchester United legend’s death aged 84, hailing him as “the King of Old Trafford”.
Law passed away on Friday after a battle with dementia, leading to an outpouring of grief across British football following the loss of one of United’s greatest-ever players.
The ex-forward won two First Division titles, the FA Cup and European Cup, while scoring 237 goals from 404 appearances – and claiming the Ballon d’Or prize in 1964.
Law was close friends with Ferguson, who is believed to have visited him at his care home in Cheshire up to three times a week before his death.
Ferguson penned an emotional tribute to Law ahead of United’s home clash against Brighton on Sunday, hailing his humility and professionalism on the pitch.
“The great thing was, he didn’t use his fame. He was so level-headed, down to earth,” he wrote. “You’d say, well, this guy’s got, he’s got all these caps for Scotland, he’s the greatest, the king of Old Trafford.
“It’s an interesting thing, why did they call him The King? You know, because you had George Best, Bobby Charlton, the greatest English player of all time, fantastic player for our club, but they called Denis ‘The King’.
“I think it’s something to do with the determination and the will to win that he showed every time he went on that football field. And that’s what he was, he was a, he was a really competitive human being. And no matter which game, that was always there.”
Ferguson also lauded Law’s fighting spirit, adding: “He was the best Scottish player of all time. Kenny Dalglish soon after, some fantastic players, but Denis was a fantastic player. He summarised a Scotsman, the fighting element, he could fight in an empty house! An incredible human being.”
United players, coaches and fans paid their respects to Law before the Brighton game by observing a minutes’ applause at Old Trafford, while Ferguson was also involved in laying down a wreath ahead of kick-off.
Both sides had been led out by a Scottish piper playing Flower of Scotland in emotional scenes, as Ferguson was joined by former United starts Brian Kidd, Paddy Crerand and Alex Stepney in paying tribute.
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