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. Football greats arrive at Manchester Cathedral

    Players from the Manchester United's illustrious past and more recent times have started to arrive for the service - as well as famous faces from other clubs.

    Sir Alex Ferguson arriving at Denis Law's funeralReuters

    Sir Alex Ferguson said Law was the "cornerstone" of United's success

    Club favourites Ruud van Nistelrooy and Bryan Robson

    Club favourites Ruud van Nistelrooy and Bryan Robson pictured arriving

    Sir Kenny Dalglish arriving at Denis Law's funeralPA Media

    Fellow Scot Sir Kenny Dalglish seen arriving

    Gary Neville arrives to attend the funeralReuters

    Former club captain Gary Neville

    Dion Dublin, Mickey Thomas and Eddie Gray arrive to attend the funeraReuters

    Dion Dublin, Mickey Thomas and Leeds United legend Eddie Gray are also in attendance

  2. Hearse moves past Old Trafford

    Crowds of fans continue to gather at Old Trafford as Law's coffin was driven past the stadium.

    Well-wishers clapped and bowed their heads as they paid their last respects to The King.

    Denis Law hearse at Old TraffordReuters
    Denis Law funeral cortege leaves Old Trafford

  3. Order of service 'a celebration of Law's life'

    Order of service for Denis Law's funeralPA Media

    The order of service for the funeral, which is set to begin at Manchester Cathedral from 14:00, is entitled "a celebration for the life of Denis Law".

  4. 'Law gave me valuable advice when I came to Man United'

    Brian McClairReuters

    Former Manchester United forward and fellow Scot Brian McClair told how Law gave him some tongue-in-cheek advice when he first came to play at Old Trafford in the late 80s.

    Giving an insight into Law's sense of humour, McClair, who previously played for Motherwell and Celtic, said: “Denis said to me ‘Don’t score hat-tricks because they’ll expect that every game. Just score two’.”

    He was a great player and a real gentleman; a real nice man.

    Brian McClair, Former Manchester United forward and fellow Scotland international

  5. Fans gathering at stadium tell of 'true gentleman'

    Fans have gathered outside Old Trafford, where Denis Law's hearse is scheduled to call before leaving the stadium for the funeral at Manchester Cathedral.

    Peter Byrne, 81, said: "He was a wonderful man and a great goal scorer. I met him at his son's wedding as I was working at the golf club where it was held. He was a true gentleman."

    Peter Byrne wearing a coat outside Old Trafford with the statue of the 'Holy Trinity' of club legends seen in the distance

    Meanwhile 75-year-old Thomas McGuire said Law was "a one-off".

    "He was a truly great goal scorer and a wonderful man," he added.

    Thomas McGuire wearing a red hat stood outside Old Trafford.

    Retired civil servant Eric Gillson, 71, said Law was his favourite player.

    He said the former striker "really connected with the fans" and his death was "such a loss".

    Eric Gillson stands in a black coat outside Old Trafford close to the statue of club legends

  6. Hearse to pause at United Trinity statue

    The former star's hearse and funeral procession will pass Old Trafford at about 13:10, before processing along Chester Road, Sir Matt Busby Way and the East Stand forecourt, Manchester United said.

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

    It will pause in front of the Trinity Statue, which depicts him alongside Sir Bobby and Best, before exiting the stadium complex.

    The club said flags around Old Trafford will be lowered while farewells are said to the "iconic figure" and a book of condolence will open for fans between 12:00 and 14:00 in the East Stand hospitality reception.

    The United megastore will also be closed between 13:00 and 13:30.

  7. Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Law was my hero'

    Alex Ferguson laying a wreath for Denis Law shortly after his deathPA Media

    Born in poverty, Law rose to become a giant of the game and has always been revered by football's biggest names - including Manchester United's legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

    He hailed Law as the "greatest Scottish player of all time" and described him as the "cornerstone" of United's success.

    Sir Alex also him simply as "my hero".

    Pele said Law was the only British player good enough to have got in his famous Brazil team.

    Bill Shankly said he was the “quickest thinking footballer I have ever seen”.

  8. Law's career from the backstreets to the bright Old Trafford lights

    Law, who was born in Aberdeen in 1940, grew up in poverty but became one of the sport's biggest stars.

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

    He left City for Italy's Torino after a year, but found life abroad difficult and moved back to Manchester, this time to join The Red Devils, in 1962.

    It was the third transfer in a row involving him that set a new British record fee.

    Denis Law, smiling, with blonde mulleted hair and a red Manchester United top onPA Media

    Law spent 11 years at Old Trafford where his 237 goals in 404 appearances have seen him remain third on United's all-time goalscorers list, behind Wayne Rooney and his former teammate Sir Bobby.

    His time at the club saw him help them capture two league titles, win the FA Cup and become the first English team to lift the European Cup.

    His United career ended with a free transfer in 1973, when he journeyed back across the city and played out his final season in football in the blue of Manchester City. He ended the season by appearing for Scotland at the 1974 World Cup, earning his 55th and final cap in their opening match against Zaire.

  9. Who was 'the ultimate goalscorer' Denis Law?

    A young Denis Law running in front of a crowd dressed in a Manchester United shirt.PA Media

    Regarded as one of the greatest players in Manchester United's history, Law made up one third of the famed "United Trinity" alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.

    He sits third in the Red Devil's all-time top scorers list with 237 goals in his 404 appearance for the club between 1962 and 1973.

    Law's prolific record is surpassed only by Sir Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney, with a tribute from the club describing the Scott as the "ultimate goalscorer".

  10. Fans and club legends paying final respects to Manchester United great

    Thousands of football fans are set to pay their final respects to Denis Law as the Manchester United great is laid to rest.

    The former Red Devils striker, nicknamed The King, died last month at the age 84.

    The funeral cortege was set to depart Old Trafford stadium at 13:10 before making its way to Manchester Cathedral for the service.

    Denis Law tributesPA Media