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LAW OF THE KING

By Ratul Ghosh

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Denis Law, one of the greatest players to play for Manchester United and Scotland, has been diagnosed with “mixed dementia,” the 81-year-old said in a statement. The former ace striker’s revelation has been met with support and kindness from all corners of the footballing community. It comes only a year after close friend and fellow member of the “United Trinity” Sir Bobby Charlton was affected with dementia as well.

 

Nicknamed “The King,” Law netted 237 times over 404 appearances for the Red Devils and is also his nation’s joint-top scorer with 30 goals from 55 caps. FootTheBall looks back at the legend’s iconic moments over his 18 year career.

 

SPOTTED EARLY

Law took to football like a fish to water, making his first-team debut for maiden club Huddersfield Town at the age of 16 in 1956. His remarkable ability to score with 19 goals in just three seasons saw him attract the attention of Matt Busby whose offer for Law was rebuffed.

 

At the time, Bill Shankly was manager of Huddersfield and after he left for Liverpool, he wanted to take him to the Reds but they were unable to afford him. This kind of scouting by two of the greatest managers in the game was a sure fire sign of just how successful Law was going to be which was proved right eventually.

 

BLUE SIDE OF MANCHESTER

City signed Law in 1960, with the striker scoring on his debut against Leeds United. The Cityzens were battling with relegation all season long and it took their new signing’s brace against Aston Villa next year to confirm their survival. However, his finest game during this spell came in the FA Cup, a competition that Law would take a particular liking for.

 

He scored six times against Luton Town in a match that was ultimately cancelled but it was enough to make European clubs take notice of him. Though it was still rare for English players to ply their trade on foreign soil, Law’s form and future potential compelled Torino to go for him.

 

TUMULTUOUS TIMES

Law’s only season in Italy did not according to plan as he found the style of play too defensive and boring for his liking. The fact that he still managed to score 10 goals was even more noteworthy given how he had also gotten injured in a car crash. Off-field issues continued to bog him and the allure of returning to England once again proved too great to ignore. Torino tried to sell him to Juventus but Law was having none of it. Despite all of this, he has been voted the number one foreign player in the country for that season, beating the likes of Luis Suarez and Joe Baker.

 

FINALLY UNITED TO WIN

Matt Busby was finally able to sign his longtime target in 1962, once again scoring on his debut against West Brom. The best moment during the season was undoubtedly the FA Cup final against Leicester City. The Foxes had finished fourth in the league and were considered as favourites, but Law’s opening goal enroute to a 3-1 win was enough to secure the trophy for the first time since 1948.

 

The 1963-64 season would see Law make even more history as he scored 46 goals in all competitions for United, which remains a club record. Though they went trophyless, Law became the first and only Scottish player till date to lift the Ballon D’Or for his exploits and cement his position as one of the game’s greatest finishers.

 

LEAGUE LEADER AND CONTINUED SUCCESS

The “Holy Trinity” led United to two league titles in 1965 and 1967 with Law being the Golden Boot winner in the former for his 28 goals. However, the latter one would become even more precious in hindsight as it became the Red Devils’ final league crown till 1993. His expertise in goal poaching and ability to find spaces in tightly marked areas helped him enjoy sustained periods of success.

 

However, one of his biggest regrets came during the 1968 European Cup winning season with Law missing both the semi-finals and the final against Benfica through injury. Though his prowess in front of goal were on the decline, his 41 goals across his FA Cup career stood as a record till 1996 when it was surpassed by Ian Rush.

 

THE INFAMOUS BACKHEEL

With game time hard to come by under change of management, Law rejoined City in 1973. He scored a brace on his second debut, and third consecutive time he achieved this feat. One of Law’s most career-defining moments would come in the final game of the regular campaign. Facing his old club United, the Scottish legend’s back-heel goal in the 81st minute was thought to have condemned the Red Devils to relegation.

 

Law was distraught and refused to celebrate as he was substituted soon after. Though United were already going down due to results elsewhere, in the moment it did little to quell fan anger who stormed the pitch. It was to be his last game in English football as he retired after a pre-season tournament in the summer.

 

SCOTTISH HERO

Law made his debut for the Tartan Army at just 18 years of age, scoring as is the norm on his debut against Wales. That came under the tutelage of Busby who was in temporary charge, but his talent was clear to everyone around him. Even during his one year in Italy, Law was getting regular call-ups for Scotland and continued to impress.

 

His highest scoring year was 1963, when he scored 11 goals as he quickly shone to be one of the most important stars of the team that was trying to build on the success of the 1958 World Cup.

 

TEAM ROW 

One of his earliest honours on the international stage came in 1963, the most fruitful year of his career for Scotland. Law was chosen as a member of the ‘Rest of the World’ team that was to face England on the occasion of the FA Cup Centenary match. Though they lost, the 23-year-old was scored the lone goal for ROW as they went down 2-1.

 

He later described it as one of the greatest honours of his life and the fact that it came so early on during his career at Manchester United was just the best of how successful he would soon go on to be.

 

WORLD CHAMPIONS TO THE SWORD

There were a few standout moments during Law’s goal-filled Scottish career but nothing came close to the highs of 1967. With England and Scotland sharing a fierce rivalry and the Three Lions winning the 1966 World Cup, the momentum was firmly with the home side as they met at the British Home Championship. Boasting many of the faces that lifted the trophy one year ago, nobody gave the Tartan Army much of a chance.

Denis Law
Denis Law celebrates after scoring against England. Image courtesy: news.aberdeencity.gov.uk

 

However, the form book went out the window as Law opened the scoring and sent the fans wild. A late goal for the visitors meant the win was firmly theirs and it was an upset. Though this was the year Law and United won another league title, he proclaimed that this victory was even more satisfying.

 

FINAL GOODBYE

Law’s final record-making goal for Scotland came in 1972 against Northern Ireland while his last appearance would come two years later at the 1974 World Cup. That was Scotland’s first since 1958 but it did not live up to his expectations. Law only played the first game against Zaire and was kept benched for the next two group games.

 

Though Scotland missed out on qualifying for the next round, the regret at not being able to play the group games clearly rankled with him as he announced his retirement. Law remains the joint record-holder for hat-tricks as well as being the only player to score four or more on multiple occasions.

 

Ratul Ghosh
His name means Red and a fan of devilish food, which equals to his favourite team being Manchester United. Can be found sleeping or in front of the TV otherwise. Hates waking up early but loves staying up late for football.

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