Denis Law, who won two league titles with Manchester United, has died at the age of 84 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia
Denis Law has sadly passed away at the age of 84
Football legend Denis Law passed away at 84, leaving the world of sport in mourning as Manchester United icons have paid tribute. The Aberdeen-born icon, who clinched two league titles with Manchester United and was part of their historic European Cup triumph in 1968, was fondly remembered as ‘The King’.
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in 2021, his family confirmed his passing on Friday evening. Law, a former Manchester City and Huddersfield striker, remains Scotland’s joint top scorer and sits third in United’s all-time scoring ranks, behind only Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton.
His remarkable tally of 237 goals in 404 appearances for United over an 11-year period is etched in football history, alongside his unique achievement of winning the Ballon d’Or in 1964, a feat no other Scot has matched.
Wayne Rooney led heartfelt tributes with a simple yet powerful message on social media: “Legend. Thoughts with all Denis’ family and friends.”
Former defender turned Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville expressed his respects on Instagram: “Rest in Peace Denis. A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End.”
Bryan Robson, another United and England captain who worked alongside Law in an ambassadorial capacity, remembered him as a “fantastic man”, reports the Mirror.
“We have lost one of football’s giants both as a player and a gentleman. It’s incredibly sad,” he said in his Daily Mail column. “Denis was more than just a fantastic footballer, he was a fantastic man. So generous with his time and everything delivered with that great sense of humour of his.”
Robson added: “He would always be in my greatest ever Manchester United XI. He was a player so many of his peers idolised and with good reason, that iconic image of him with his sleeves pulled down and the one-arm salute after scoring. No one could represent what Manchester United stood for better than him. Full of flair on the pitch and a gentleman off it.”
Law’s family released a statement, saying: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently. We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference. Thank you.”
Despite his slight build, Law was a force to be reckoned with on the pitch, using his lightning speed and fearless attitude to strike fear into the hearts of defenders throughout his 18-year career, which included stints at Huddersfield, Manchester City, Torino, and of course, Manchester United.
Notably, Law’s transfers from Huddersfield to Manchester City in 1960, then to Torino in 1961, and finally to Manchester United in 1962, were all record-breaking deals in Britain at the time. Manchester United released a statement saying: “Everyone at Manchester United is mourning the loss of Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End, who has passed away, aged 84. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”
Law, who has two statues in his honour at Old Trafford, went on to work as a broadcaster and charity advocate after retiring from football.
He was inducted into the Scottish and English football halls of fame. The Scottish Football Association paid tribute to a “true great”, saying “we will not see his likes again. Denis Law. 1940-2025.”
Law also played for Manchester City, who said the “whole of Manchester” was mourning his loss.
In response to United’s X post announcing the news, City replied: “The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this difficult time.”
The Denis Law Legacy Trust described Law as “Scotland’s greatest ever footballer and a proud Aberdonian”. The Trust expressed their heartache, stating: “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.”
Alzheimer’s Society chief executive Kate Lee also shared her condolences and gratitude, saying: “We are deeply saddened by the news that Alzheimer’s Society supporter, Denis Law, has died with dementia. We’ll be forever grateful that Denis and his family raised not only money for Alzheimer’s Society but a great deal of awareness too.”
She added, reflecting on Law’s own words about his diagnosis: “Talking about his diagnosis, Denis once said ‘you hope that it won’t happen to you’. The sad reality is that one in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia and a million people are currently living with it.”
