Summary

  • Thousands of well-wishers gather in Manchester for the funeral of Red Devils legend Denis Law

  • The former striker and Ballon d'Or winner from Scotland died at the age of 84 on 17 January

  • A funeral procession left Old Trafford at 13:10 before making its way to Manchester Cathedral the service, from 14:00

  • Football greats including Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Kenny Dalglish among those attending

  • Law, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in Manchester United's history, is the club's third all-time top scorer with 237 goals in 404 appearances

  • At the club between 1962 to 1973, his prolific record earned him the nickname of simply "The King" among fans

Live Reporting

Edited by Tom Mullen

  1. Denis Law: A life in pictures

    That brings to an end to our coverage of the funeral of Manchester United and Scotland great Denis Law, "The King".

    Thank you for joining us as we heard tributes to the "fearless" footballer from players past and present, and from his family.

    We'll leave you with some images from the prolific goal-scorer's illustrious life and career.

    Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best smiling together.

    Denis Law, (left) was part of the famed "United Trinity" alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best

    Manchester United's Denis Law keeps his eyes on the ball as he walks out onto the pitch before the game, followed by teammates Alex Stepney (l) and George Best (second l)PA Media

    Law was described by his teammates as a "fearless" striker with clinical finishing

    Scotland's Denis Law wins the ball ahead of England's Bobby Moore.PA Media

    Denis Law is Scotland's all-time top scorer

    A message is seen with flowers in memory of former Manchester United player Denis LawReuters

    Law was nicknamed simply "The King" by Man Utd fans

    A black and white photograph of Denis Law playing for Huddersfield Town.PA Media

    Law signed for Huddersfield Town in 1955 after being scouted at the age of 14, and first made his name at Manchester City

    Denis Law smilesPA Media

    Law was described at his funeral as a "wonderful person" with a "heart of a lion"

  2. 'Denis Law gave joy to so many people'

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    I didn’t know Denis Law so well but I have known his daughter Diana for many years.

    I told her after her dad died she should take comfort from the number of tributes paid to him and the joy he gave to so many people.

    She spoke so eloquently about her dad today.

    He didn’t need an excuse to be proud of his family - but he would have appreciated her words.

  3. Watch: Fans applaud as hearse leaves Old Trafford

    It proved to be an emotional moment earlier as Law's hearse made its way around Manchester United's stadium, to applause from supporters.

  4. Law had 'heart of a lion', says ex-teammate Kidd

    Brian KiddReuters

    Former Manchester United striker Brian Kidd, who played alongside Denis Law, said he was a “fearless” forward.

    Speaking after the service, he said: “His stature was small, but he had the heart of a lion."

    “Everybody in those days used to kick him up, but Denis was up for it all the time. His finishing was spectacular. He could do any type of finishing - headers, overhead kicks, scissor kicks, or pass it into the net."

    Brian Kidd, Former Man Utd player

  5. Applause as coffin carried down cathedral's aisles

    Denis Law's coffin carried out of the cathedralPA Media

    Mourners warmly applauded as Denis Law's coffin was taken out of the cathedral.

    The song Angel by Rod Stewart, which Law and the Scotland World Cup squad of 1974 recorded a version of with the rock singer, was also played, as the service reaches its final stages.

  6. A star for both sides of Manchester

    Starting out at Huddersfield Town at the age of 15, Law first made his name on the other side of the Pennines at United's great rivals, Manchester City.

    Following his death in January huge banners paying tribute to him were unfurled at home matches for both clubs.

    The one at Manchester City also paid tribute to fellow Blues greats Tony Book and Bobby Kennedy.

    A banner reading Denis Law The King is held aloft by the crowd at Old Trafford before a matchPA Media
    General view of a banner displayed in memory of former Manchester City players Tony Book, Bobby Kennedy and Denis Law before the matchReuters

  7. Inside the service: 'Many moved to tears'

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    There have been some fabulous tributes paid to Denis Law in this service.

    Some in here were moved to tears when his daughter Diana spoke about him being reunited in heaven with George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Matt Busby.

  8. Scottish forward left 'a wonderful legacy'

    Law's death marks "the end of an era, the last of the famous Trinity to go," Cannon Grace Thomas told mourners at Manchester Cathedral.

    "But what a wonderful legacy he leaves behind for supporters. And also in the hearts, minds and memories of all who loved him," she said.

  9. 'Dad used to travel back to Aberdeen every weekend'

    Law's daughter Diana told the congregation her father used to travel back to his hometown in Scotland every weekend after first meeting his wife - also named Diana - but only with his manager Sir Matt Busby's permission.

    She said: "There were rumours he sometimes took an early bath to get back quicker. I don’t believe that.

    "And I don't believe either that he deliberately got sent off just before Christmas so he could have Christmas off.”

  10. 'He would fight his granny for a goal' - Sir Alex

    Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at Manchester Cathedral for Denis Law's funeralReuters

    Sir Alex went on to say he often wondered why supporters called him The King, and came to the conclusion "it was to do with his profile".

    "He would fight his granny for a goal," he said.

    "He had so much courage. A skinny guy standing amongst all those big defenders.”

  11. Law 'loved beating England'

    Sir Alex continued: “He loved Scotland and he loved beating England.

    "He once lined up before a game against England. He loved Nobby Stiles and Nobby worshipped him. Nobby came bounding down the tunnel and wished Denis all the best.

    "Denis gave him a withering look and let off a volley of abuse Nobby never forgot.”

  12. Sir Alex recalls Pele's fantastic tribute to Law

    Also speaking at the service, Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Trying to place Denis in the pantheon of all time greats is a challenge. But it is made easier by Pele.

    "He was asked if there was a British player who could get in the [great] Brazil team. He said Denis Law - which is a fantastic tribute.”

  13. Law's daughter says father has rejoined United Trinity

    The United Trinity statue of former players (left to right) George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton outside Old Traffordde Old Trafford.PA Media

    Law's funeral procession passed the United Trinity statue of former players (left to right) George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton.

    Dennis Law's daughter Diana has been speaking at the funeral and paying tribute to her late father, who she said has now rejoined United greats Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best.

    “There is an Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman. I think of them all up there in heaven. Reunited smiling down. Maybe they have started a team already with Sir Matt as the manager.”

    Diana Law

  14. Private service taking place inside cathedral

    The coffin of Denis Law is carried into Manchester Cathedral. Law, who won two league titles with United and was a member of their European Cup-winning side, died aged 84 on January 17th.PA Media

    The service inside Manchester Cathedral is private, so no cameras have been allowed nside.

    Earlier, fans watched as Law's coffin was brought inside by pallbearers following the funeral procession, which began at Old Trafford.

    The coffin of former Manchester United, Manchester City and Scotland forward Denis Law arriving at Manchester Cathedral, who died aged 84 on January 17th.PA Media

  15. Jerusalem the first hymn

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    The congregation is standing to sing Jerusalem.

    There is expected to be a tribute from Sir Alex Ferguson shortly.

  16. City legends arrive to join mourners

    Denis Law's time at Manchester City at either end of his Manchester United career meant he was equally respected by the blue half of the city.

    As such, among the myriad of United legends arriving to pay their respects, some of City's greats have joined the mourners, including Law's former teammates Joe Corrigan and Mike Summerbee, who was joined by United legend Alex Stepney.

    Joe Corrigan, wearing a dark jacket and coat and a blue shirt and tiePA Media
    Alex Stepney, in a dark coat, white shirt and black tie, hashis arm around the shoulder of Mike Summerbee, who wears a dark coat grey jumper and white shirtPA Media

  17. Flower of Scotland

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    The funeral service is starting.

    Flower of Scotland has been played on bagpipes but now there is more traditional organ music.

    The congregation is quiet, with people in their own thoughts about someone who meant so much to so many.

    Former Manchester City star Mike Summerbew is sat not too far away from me.

  18. Hearse makes its way to cathedral

    The funeral procession has arrived at Manchester Cathedral to the sound of bagpipes playing Flower of Scotland.

    Law's funeral is due to begin at 14:00.

    A hearse with a floral display in the likeness of the Scottish flag waits at a road side.

    Alongside players, members of the public have also been seen heading inside the cathedral to pay their respects.

    Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to give a tribute.

    The officiant is The Reverend Canon Dr Ian Jorysz while the address will be given by The Reverend Canon Grace Thomas.

    A wake is due to take place afterwards at Old Trafford.

    Members of the public head inside Manchester Cathedral before the funeralPA Media

  19. Ruben Amorim seen arriving as service set to begin

    Ruben Amorim arrives at the cathedral

    Current Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is among the club's current staff in attendance for the service at Manchester Cathedral, which is due to start shortly.

  20. Scottish football pays its respects

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Kenny Dalglish is one of a number of leading Scottish football figures to pay their respects to Denis Law at Manchester Cathedral.

    Joe Jordan and Eddie Gray are here, as is SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell.

    Maxwell described Law as one of the greatest Scottish players of all time.

    I doubt there will be many disagreeing with that.

    …BBC Sport

    Kenny Dalglish