Denis Law, one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever players, passed away last month at the age of 84, after a battle with dementia, a condition he was diagnosed with in August 2021. A true game icon, Law was revered for his incredible career, spanning clubs such as Huddersfield Town, Manchester City, and Torino before cementing his legacy at Old Trafford.
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His passing marks the end of an era, as he was the last surviving member of Manchester United’s legendary ‘Holy Trinity,’ following the deaths of George Best in 2005 and Sir Bobby Charlton in 2023.
His family confirmed his passing in an emotional statement:
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.
Known as the ‘King of the Stretford End,’ Law scored 237 goals in 404 appearances for United, reports The Guardian. On the international stage, Law was equally influential for Scotland. He earned 55 caps after making his debut in 1958 and went on to score 30 goals—a record he still shares with Sir Kenny Dalglish as the country’s all-time leading scorer.
Denis Law’s funeral: Everything we know
Denis Law’s funeral took place on February 11, 2025, at Manchester Cathedral. According to the BBC, it drew an estimated 750 mourners, with thousands of fans lining the streets to pay their respects. The funeral cortege made a poignant stop at Old Trafford, pausing at the Holy Trinity statue, where Law is immortalised alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.
Inside the cathedral, football greats from Manchester United and beyond gathered to bid farewell. Sir Alex Ferguson, who called Law ‘my hero,’ delivered a touching eulogy. Ferguson said:
He had so much courage. A skinny guy standing among all those big defenders.
Former Scotland captain Kenny Dalglish, a fellow legend in his own right, was also in attendance.
Among the mourners were United stars past and present, including Ruud van Nistelrooy, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, Leeds and Scotland legend Eddie Gray and Wayne Rooney. Manchester City legends Joe Corrigan and Mike Summerbee were also present, reports The Sun.
Manchester United’s current manager Ruben Amorim was in attendance alongside club stars Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire, paying their respects to the club legend. David Beckham's parents, Ted and Hillary, were also present.
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell too journeyed south to pay his respects, stating:
He was and will forever be a true icon of the game. When you look at the career he's had, for any player to be talked about in the same breath as Bobby Charlton and George Best just shows you the level he was playing at.
Law’s daughter Diana reflected on his bond with Charlton and Best, saying:
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.
Adding a deeply personal touch to the ceremony, Sir Rod Stewart—who opened up about his own death recently—provided Scotland-themed flowers, along with an emotional note that read:
You are, and always will be, my footballing hero. Sir Rod Stewart, CBE.
A farewell fitting for the Manchester legend who had many accomplishments under his belt, but his final years was certainly not easy. In the end the memories of his career were also slipping from him.
Denis Law’s struggle with dementia
Denis Law was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s in 2021, a heartbreaking revelation for the footballing world. In a deeply moving statement at the time, he admitted:
I know the road ahead will be hard, demanding, painful and ever changing and so ask for understanding and patience.
I recognise how my brain is deteriorating and how my memory evades me when I don't want it to and how this causes me distress in situations that are beyond my control.
I do understand what is happening and that is why I want to address my situation now whilst I am able, because I know there will be days when I don't understand and I hate the thought of that right now.
His wife, Diana, became his pillar of strength throughout his battle, fulfilling the vow of ‘in sickness and in health’ with unwavering dedication. In a joint statement for the Alzheimer’s Society, they shared, as quoted by Daily Mail:
We tackle everything together. But living with dementia means Diana has to take responsibility a bit more now although we still come as a team of course. It’s a change for both of us.
Over time, as Denis' condition worsened, it also took memories of his past achievements—Diana revealed this tragic fact in 2023. That same year, Denis and Diana openly discussed the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia as part of an Alzheimer’s Society campaign, coinciding with their 60th wedding anniversary, as per Mirror. Diana reflected:
It took away your freedom.
While Denis admitted:
It's very difficult.
Diana added:
Denis doesn't remember the past things. You live for today and you don't look to the future. I didn't see our future moving like this, with dementia. Because he was such a fit person.
His daughter, Di, also spoke about the difficulty of seeing her father struggle with memory loss. According to the Express, In May 2022, Di praised him for his bravery and stated how he maintained his mischievous spirit even in tough times. She said:
He still loves to mess about. Even now, he finds a way to have some fun with his condition. He actually pretends sometimes that he can't remember something - which is a bit naughty, really, but that's dad.
Denis Law is survived by his wife, Diana, and their five children. In his teenage years, Denis met his future wife, Diana, at a dancehall in Aberdeenshire. The couple married in December 1962 and had five children together. Their daughter, also named Diana, worked for several years in the Manchester United press office.
The Law family has largely kept their personal lives private, and specific details about Diana's background and the professions of their other children are not widely publicised.
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Sources used:
The Guardian: Denis Law, Manchester United and Scotland legend, dies aged 84
BBC: Fans bid farewell to Denis Law at United star's funeral
The Sun: Football greats honour Scotland icon Denis Law as Rod Stewart delivers heartfelt message & Ferguson gives funeral eulogy
MailOnline: Inside Denis Law's heartbreaking dementia health battle that left Man Utd icon leaning on his 'strong' wife before his death aged 84
Mirror: Denis Law's wife's devastating five words reveal harrowing reality of dementia battle
Express: 'Dad is so brave': Denis Law's daughter struggled after legend developed dementia
Wikipedia: Denis Law
