Denis Law remembered as ‘true Scot’ after death aged 84

Denis Law has been described as a “true Scot” by former teammate Alex Stepney as tributes poured in for the Manchester United and Scotland great following his death at the age of 84.

The Aberdeen-born striker won two league titles with United and was a member of their European Cup-winning side under Sir Matt Busby in 1968, alongside Stepney, when they became the first English club to lift the trophy.

Law, known as ‘The King’, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in 2021. His family announced his death on Friday evening.

“He was a true character, really, that’s what it was all about,” former United goalkeeper Stepney told BBC Breakfast.

“He was a firecracker, he scored so many goals for Manchester United and whoever he was playing for. The defenders he came up against were all big and strong, but it didn’t bother him.

“He scored so many great goals with his head, he was tremendous. Anything around the 18-yard box, especially on the pitches we played on in those days, boom he was in.”

Law scored 237 goals in 404 appearances for United and is the only player to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford, one on the Stretford End concourse and the other as part of the ‘United Trinity’ outside the stadium alongside fellow club greats George Best and Bobby Charlton.

He also remains the only Scottish player to have won a Ballon d’Or, which he was awarded in 1964.

Scotland’s men’s national team X account added: “A true great. We will not see his likes again.”

Stepney added: “We all had talents and they had a better talent in goalscoring because they were all forwards, like I said Ballon d’Or winners.

“They kept scoring the goals, but other players were scoring goals and that’s how we won what we did really.

“But he was tremendous, he was a true Scot. You had George (Best) who was Irish, Bobby (Charlton) who was English and he was Scottish, three Ballon d’Or winners, unbelievable.”

Law, who started his career at Huddersfield and also played for Manchester City and Torino, made his senior Scotland debut aged 18 in 1958 and was capped 55 times.

With 30 goals he remains joint record scorer for Scotland alongside Sir Kenny Dalglish, who also paid tribute.

“Thoughts are with Denis Law’s family. Thanks for the great memories. My hero,” said Dalglish, replying to Sky Sports’ tribute on X in which former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Law as “the greatest Scottish player of all time”.

The Denis Law Legacy Trust described him as “Scotland’s greatest ever footballer and a proud Aberdonian”.

The trust said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Denis and our foremost thoughts are with his family and close friends during this very sad time.

“Denis was Scotland’s greatest ever footballer and a proud Aberdonian. As patron of the charity that was built in his honour, he was an inspirational figure for so many people in the city.”

Former Scotland international Joe Jordan called Law a “proper icon”.

He said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Denis was a special player and to lose someone like him, I think will affect an awful lot of Manchester United fans.

“A proper icon for his ability on the field to score goals but he had a special edge to him, not just as a player but as a person.

“He was a special player. Denis Law is one of the greatest players to ever play for Scotland.

“What he achieved at club level, people associate Manchester United with Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law. That speaks for itself, he was a special player.”

Within hours of his death, Scottish Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden – who represents the north-east region at Holyrood and was previously co-leader of Aberdeen City Council – tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament recognising Law’s contribution to the game.

“It is absolutely right that Denis Law’s achievements are marked in the Scottish Parliament for his immense contribution to football and grassroots sport in the community,” Mr Lumsden said.

“He is one of Scotland’s most iconic footballers and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of new players.

“The north-east has lost a true legend of Scottish football, but he will never be forgotten and was a credit to his home city of Aberdeen.”

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said: “He was a giant of Scottish football, and one of Scotland’s greatest sons.

“The legacy from his incredible sporting career had a profound impact on future generations, and I know it will continue to inspire the next generation.

“Despite all of his successes on the pitch, he was also a humble individual.

“In his later years, Denis bore his illness with great dignity and bravery, leading from the front when raising awareness of the real challenges and difficulties that come with Alzheimer’s.

“Denis was one of Scotland’s great superstars who brought joy to people both on and off the pitch. We were very lucky to have him.”