Denis Law: The King of Stretford End

Denis Law passed away on 17th January, aged 84. He was part of the world famous 'United Trinity' alongside his friend George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton that dazzled in 1960's to make Manchester United football club the most admired club in the world. Denis Law was fans favourite as he gave his absolutely everything to score goals, exciting ones that showed his world-class abilities despite being slender and short in frame. He is the only player to have two statues in Old Trafford. His modest background as a son of a fisherman to being the only Scottish footballer to win the Ballon d'Or, is a remarkable fairytale.

Denis Law's first visit to Old Trafford was on 19th February, 1958 when United played their first match after the fatal crash in Munich which decimated the first team. Law was playing for Huddersfield Town's reserves under Bill Shankly where an operation to correct the squint in his eyes changed his life. Sir Matt Busby wanted to get Law after facing Huddersfield in FA Youth Cup but was unsuccessful. Debut at 16 for the Terriers and for Scotland aged 18. Sensational! Law moved to City and then to Torino for a British transfer record. Busby made Law his most expensive signing for $115,000 from Torino where Law although playing well, was finding it hard to adjust. Law wanted out and Busby would make Manchester his nirvana. Torino wanted to sell Law to Juventus for a record fee $160,000 reportedly but Law wanted to return to England to end his nightmare in Italy.

Law scored on debut against West Brom in 1962 in a 2-2 draw. United had an inconsistent season avoiding relegation in 19th position when there were 22 clubs in First Division, but managed to make it to the finals of the FA Cup thanks largely to Law's 6 goals. Law formed a great partnership with David Herd and duo scored all 3 goals in the final of the FA Cup against favourites Leicester City who had done the double over United in the League with stars like Gordon Banks, Frank McLintock, Ken Keyworth. It was United's first trophy since Munich. It was a momentous occasion for the club that was rising from the ashes literally.

The following season 1963-64 belonged to Denis Law as he scored 30 goals in League, 10 in FA Cup and 6 in Europe; 46 goals in all competitions - a record that is still held. This was mainly due to another Scot in Paddy Crerand joining United in the summer and providing more clinical assists from midfield. 18th January, 1963 will be a date that will be forever etched in memory when a young rookie George Best debuted against West Brom. It was the first of 293 matches the 'United Trinity' played together until 28th October, 1972 and scored 264 goals. Law's contribution was immense with 173 goals. Law won the Ballon d'Or in 1964 becoming the first United player and the only Scottish player to have won it. United still finished runners-up to Liverpool.

Emergence of John Connelly on the wing with 15 goals lifted United to win their first post war League title in 1965 and a second title in 1967 without Connelly but with John Ashton Jnr, David Sadler and crucially Alex Stepney as the new goalkeeper. They won the 'holy grail' the European Cup in 1968. Denis Law had a knee injury and did not play in the final. Matt Busby brought the cup to his bedside the next day! Busby announced that 1968-69 would be his last and Law banged-in 30 goals for his boss. Next season he played in only 16 games as his right knee injury blighted his contribution. Law trained alone in pre-season without taking off to regain his fitness and promptly came back to form to score 16 goals in 1970-71 season. Hugh McIlvanney argued that Denis Law would have been the only British player who could have made it to the 1970 World Cup winning Brazil team, considered the greatest team ever. 

On the eve of 1966 World Cup in England, Denis Law demanded a pay-rise from the club by writing a letter to Sir Matt Busby and going on leave. Busby informed the press about this saga by transfer listing the player and asked him to return at once to Old Trafford. United and Liverpool were the meanest clubs in First Division those days. Busby informed Law that if he apologized in front of the press, he would get a substantial pay rise in his next contract and become the best paid player at the club. Law dutifully obliged. This would quell any further discontent in the squad about money. 'Nobody is bigger than the club'. Law was intensely private person like Sir Bobby Charlton.

Law started the 71-72 season with a bang but injury limited his appearances later. When Frank O'Farrel was sacked after a heavy defeat to Crystal Palace in December of 1972, it was Law who suggested the name of reformed Scotland boss Tommy Docherty to Sir Matt Busby who was still calling the shots as a director at the club. Docherty initially steadied the club to safety and later offered Busby's favourite Crerand to be an assistant coach. Law also claimed that Docherty made a similar offer to him but was later transfer listed when on holiday with family back in Aberdeen. This saga was brought to the fore in a litigation between Docherty and winger Willie Morgan at the Old Bailey in late 70's.

Law scored 237 goals for United in 404 appearances, the 3rd highest tally behind Rooney and Charlton. Its common knowledge that he rejoined City and scored that infamous back-heel against United to confirm their relegation. What is less known is the fact that in May, 1963 Manchester City were needing a win against United in the penultimate match and were leading 1-0 when Law earned a penalty which drew the match and relegated City from the first division. 

Busby said Law was the quickest-thinking footballer he ever knew. Law would barely come-up till the shoulder of Liverpool great Ron Yeates but still managed to harass the monster out of the match. He was good with both feet, excellent in heading and knew the most important thing to do when inside the box was to score. Sir Alex Ferguson idolized him. Fans simply worshipped him. If the Team-sheet did not have his name, there were a few hundred less attending the match at Old Trafford. His work-ethic and brilliance on the ball were simply world class, cementing his status as one of true greats of the game. The King of Stretford End, hat-trick hero a record 18-times, hair-raising bicycle kicks and that celebration by raising his right arm while clutching his sleeve. Iconic.

Solskjaer got the reaction after Watford loss as United have three away games next

Manchester United scored four goals for the first time in a league match vs Newcastle since the opening day match against Chelsea. After the Watford loss Solskjaer fielded a full strength squad with in form Mason Greenwood starting ahead of Daniel James. It was the Magpies that played well initially to take a lead through Matty Longstaff who had scored the winner in the reverse fixture. It put Newcastle above Manchester United in the points table having started the day on equal points tally. That perhaps invigorated the Red Devils into gear as they took advantage of three mistakes from opposing players i.e., their goal keeper, defender and Sean Longstaff for Anthony Martial to score a brace(1st and 4th goals) and Mason Greenwood to hit a powerful shot for the second goal. Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross was met by leaping Marcus Rashford to score the 3rd goal.

Martial had a great game stretching the opponent defenders to create space and had a shot that hit the post else could have had a hat-trick. MUFC have not had a hat-trick scored in almost 6 years since Robin van Persie against Aston Villa in 2013! Scott McTominay got booked inside 30 seconds of kick-off and later was substituted at half-time due to suspected knee ligament injury being replaced by Paul Pogba. Having a three goal cushion Solskjaer wisely took Rashford and Martial off keeping in mind the hectic schedule. For the 14th consecutive league fixture since the 1-0 win over Leicester City in mid-September have MUFC not kept a clean sheet an ignominious feat that last occurred in 1971 almost half a century ago! This once again highlights the need of protection in front of the new defensive unit by a central defensive midfielder and is not a dig at the huge cost of #130 million spent on Maguire and Wan-Bissaka.

This win continues a remarkable winning streak of MUFC on boxing day at Old Trafford. In the last 19 games they have won 16 and drawn 3 while one has to go all the way back to 1978 some 41 years ago when they were beaten by LFC 0-3 at Old Trafford! It was the first in a hat-trick of boxing day fixtures between two biggest clubs in the English league. MUFC lost again 0-2 in '79 at Anfield and drew 0-0 in '80 at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson in his first year as manager beat the scousers famously 1-0 at Anfield on boxing day with a goal from Norman Whiteside. The last away defeat on boxing day came at the Britannia in a 0-2 loss to Stoke City in 2015 under Louis van Gaal. The most remarkable set of matches however was in 1963 when Sir Matt Busby's MUFC lost 1-6 to Burnley on boxing day and two days later debuted two wingers George Best and Willie Anderson to win 5-1 against the same opponents at Old Trafford.

WLDLWL is the form guide of the last six away matches across all competitions which suggests MUFC might avoid defeat away to Burnley who had a taxing boxing day match in which they lost to a late goal to Everton. Paul Pogba might start his first league match since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in September replacing the injured McTominay and might not play as number 10; Daniel James might start ahead of Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams ahead of Luke Shaw. If Ashley Barnes plays for Burnley they will have a greater goal threat. MUFC hope that their ex-academy player Dwight McNeil does not raise his game against them like Josh King did at Bournemouth that cost them all three points. MUFC assistant manager Mike Phelan came through the youth academy of Burnley. In the 1960's Sir Matt Busby signed two wingers from Burnley in John Connelly who was part of the 1966 World Cup winning squad and Willie Morgan who replaced Connelly at both Burnley and United.

Next MUFC face Arsenal away in the league followed by Wolves away in FA Cup 3rd round match and Man City at home in the league cup semi-final - three games in six days and this match at Turf Moor will be crucial to not slack off, maintain the intensity while personnel are changed to manage a tough schedule. Burnley having lost their last three home matches to Crystal Palace, Man City and Newcastle will be eager to halt the slide against MUFC. The Clarets who usually play 4-4-2 under Sean Dyche might not prompt any change in formation from United but might rely on the pace of James, Williams & company to cope with stern challenge from the home team.