Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly visited Denis Law up to three times a week in his nursing home, prior to his friend’s passing at 84 years old on Friday.
The legendary boss will be in attendance for Sunday’s game at Old Trafford, where Manchester United face Brighton, to see the tributes paid to the striker, which will culminate in a minute’s applause.
Ferguson, 83, made frequent trips to see his fellow Scot in the Cheshire-based home, a short journey from his £1.2million house in Goostrey, Cheshire East, according to The Sun.
On Friday night, Law’s family announced his death, which came after a hard-fought, three-year battle with dementia.
Law, who revealed in August 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, is one of the United Trinity immortalised in a statue at Old Trafford alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton. To fans, he was simply known as The King.
In the past, Ferguson revealed that he idolised Law as a player, once reminiscing on the time they first met.
Sir Alex Ferguson visited Denis Law in his care home up to three times a week before his death
The Manchester United legend (pictured) sadly passed away at the age of 84 on Friday night
Law, posing alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, formed the United Trinity with Charlton and George Best, and the trio have a statue to honour them outside Old Trafford
‘Denis Law was my hero as a player, I idolised him,’ he said.
‘When I first met him, I was so excited. It was at a game in Paris, where he had played in the first half and we went for a cup of tea afterwards.
‘I thought: “This is it, I’ve made it, I’m having a cup of tea with Denis Law!”
‘For me, he epitomised everything that a Scotsman is about. He was daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had style. He was a truly fantastic footballer.’
A statement from the Law family read: ‘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.’
A Ballon d’Or winner in 1964, Law won the European Cup, two English titles and the FA Cup in his 11 years at Old Trafford.
He is United’s third-highest goal scorer of all time behind Wayne Rooney and Charlton with 237 in 404 games, and Scotland’s joint top scorer with 30 goals from his 55 caps.
Law is United’s third-highest goalscorer of all-time behind Wayne Rooney and Charlton
Law represented Scotland at the 1974 World Cup and is the nation’s joint-top goalscorer
A statue dedicated to Law, in the heart of Aberdeen, where he was born on February 24 1940
Born in Aberdeen, Law began his career with Huddersfield Town, had two spells at Manchester City and also played in Italy for Torino.
United also issued a statement on Friday night, saying: ‘Everyone at Manchester United is mourning the loss of Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End, who has passed away, aged 84. With 237 goals in 404 appearances, he will always be celebrated as one of the club’s greatest and most beloved players.
‘The ultimate goal-scorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.’
Law was the sixth member of the United squad that won the European Cup under Sir Matt Busby to suffer from dementia.
Charlton, who passed away in October 2023, Nobby Stiles, Tony Dunne, David Herd and Bill Foulkes were also diagnosed before their deaths.
