In the 1960's when Eric Cantona was still in his cradle, Denis Law was the King of Old Trafford. When it came to scoring goals, from long-range, from headers, overhead kicks, close in poachers - Law was the master, a mercurial genius when it came to putting a ball in the back of the net.
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 this man's 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.
George Best said of him "Denis was the best in the business, he could score goals from a hundredth of a chance never mind half of one". As well as goal-scoring he was also an incisive passer of the ball contributing to others around him.
Ironically, Denis Law and Jimmy Greaves where born within four days of each other and both spent years as rivals and supreme entertainers. A lot of great players use their minds as much as their physical attributes. 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 (although they were down regardless of the result).
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.
