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Full Name
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Denis Law
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Date of Birth
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24th Feb 1940
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Place of Birth
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Aberdeen
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Position
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Forward
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Height
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5ft 9
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United debut
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18/8/1962
vs WBA (H)
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Law's United Record 1962-1973
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Appearances
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Goals
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League
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305 (4)
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171
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FA Cup
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44 (2)
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34
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League Cup
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11
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3
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Europe
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33
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28
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Total
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393 (6)
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236
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Law's International Record
1958-1974
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55 Caps for
Scotland - 30 Goals
1967 1st Div
League Championship
1965 1st Div
League Championship
1964 European
Footballer of the year
1963 F.A. Cup
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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.
Sadly, such was his fierce competitiveness he 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's been involved in media work
and works currently for Radio 5.
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. |
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All pictures in the
profiles can be enlarged by clicking on the smaller version.
Stats do not include friendlies, Charity Shield or World Club tournaments.
Number in brackets ( ) represents appearances as substitute in addition to
starting appearances.
This information is kindly taken from
McCleery's
Manchester United Zone
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