Sir Rod Stewart has paid tribute to Manchester United legend Denis Law after the club announced his passing on Friday night.
Law, who scored 30 goals in 55 international appearances for Scotland, is one of United’s greatest-ever players having netted 237 times in 404 games for the club.
He became the only Scottish player to date to have won the Ballon d’Or, lifting football’s greatest individual honour back in 1964 – and won four major honours with the Red Devils, including a European Cup in 1967-68.
Law was part of United’s famed ‘Holy Trinity’ alongside, George Best and England World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away in 2005 and 2023 respectively.
Law, who was 84 at the time of his passing, had been battling Alzheimer’s and dementia, having been diagnosed with both illnesses back in 2021.
And following the tragic news of his death, several stars paid tribute to Law, including legendary singer Stewart.
Denis Law has passed away at the age of 84, his family and Man United confirmed on Friday
Law, who also scored 30 times in 55 appearances for Scotland, is a Manchester United legend
Several stars paid tribute to United icon Law, including legendary singer Sir Rod Stewart
Taking to his Instagram story to share a picture of himself and Law from their younger days, he said: ‘Farewell my hero, rest in peace.’
Stewart, who was born in London, is known to be a Celtic fan, however he has previously revealed that United are his English side, while he also supports the Scottish National Team.
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Law’s passing, quotes from legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson recirculated.
Ferguson, who is one year younger than Law, had told the Guardian in 2009: ‘Denis Law was my hero as a player. I idolised him.
‘When I first met him I was so excited. It was at a game in Paris, 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 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.’
While Law would enjoy spells with Huddersfield Town, Manchester City and Torino, it is for his exploits with United that he is best remembered.
Legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the Guardian in 2009 that Law was his ‘hero’
United’s all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney similarly paid tribute to the Scotsman
Law won the Ballon d’Or in 1964 and is still to date the only Scot to ever have done so
Law (L) was part of ‘The Holy Trinity’ alongside Sir Bobby Charlton (C) and George Best (R)
And Wayne Rooney, who is United’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals – four more than Charlton and 16 more than Law – similarly shared some heartfelt words.
Sharing a photo of Law smiling on his Instagram story, Rooney added: ‘Legend. Thoughts with Denis’ family and friends.’
Meanwhile, Joe Jordan, who played alongside Law for Scotland, hailed him a ‘proper icon’ and a ‘special player’.
‘Denis was a special player and to lose someone like him, I think will affect an awful lot of Manchester United fans,’ he told the BBC.
‘A proper icon for his ability on the field to score goals but he had a special edge to him, not just as a player but as a person.
‘He was a special player. Denis Law is one of the greatest players to ever play for Scotland.
‘What he achieved at club level, people associate Manchester United with Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law. That speaks for itself, he was a special player.’ In his 11 years at Old Trafford, Law would score 237 goals in 404 games in all competitions, and goes down in history as one of the club’s greatest legends of all.
Man United’s famous ‘Holy Trinity’ of Charlton, Law and Best are immortalised at Old Trafford
Law (left) was hailed as the ‘King of the Stretford End’ by Man United after the news broke
Law is his country’s joint-top goal scorer, and still holds a United record for most goals in a single campaign, having struck 46 times in 1963-64.
Meanwhile, after announcing news of his passing, United wrote: ‘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.’
After the tragic news broke on Friday night, Scottish giants Rangers were among the first to add their tribute to Law.
‘The thoughts of everyone at Rangers are with the Law family at this sad time,’ the club wrote on X in response to United’s announcement.
The Scottish FA added: ‘A true great. We will not see his likes again. Denis Law. 1940-2025.’
Man City – who Law joined straight from United in 1973 for a second time – stated: ‘The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this difficult time.’
Law was also able to handle playing for both United and arch-rivals Man City in his career
The tributes flooded in for the Man United legend after his death was announced on Friday
Former United player and assistant head coach Mike Phelan referenced the famous United Trilogy in his own tribute, writing: ‘RIP Denis Law. Some forward line upstairs now.’
Liverpool’s official account recounted a famous quote from their own legendary former figure Bill Shankly about Law, writing: ‘Sending condolences from all of us at LFC.
‘Denis was a rival player but so highly thought of. As Bill Shankly once said, “Denis Law could dance on eggshells.” Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this very sad time.’
Another of Law’s former clubs, Huddersfield Town, remembered the great Scot as ‘an immortal of the sport’.
‘All at Huddersfield Town are profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Denis Law. A legend of not only our great Club, but an immortal of the sport as a whole, he will be deeply missed and his memory cherished by us all.
‘Our collective thoughts are with Denis’ family and loved ones at this time. Once a Terrier, always a Terrier.’
Scotland and Red Devils icon Lou Macari echoed the sentiment shared my many, writing: ‘RIP Denis. One of Scotland’s finest, a United legend and a terrific man. A sad day for football and our hearts go out to his family.’
Fellow former United player Brian Kidd added, as per Andy Mitten: ‘He was slight, with the heart of a lion.
Law’s impressive 30 goals in 55 international appearances for Scotland is a joint record
‘An unbelievable finisher, he scored every type of goal. He said to me: “If you’re ever wide, don’t look up, put the cross in early. If I’m not there it’s my fault”.
‘He was usually there. Sir Matt loved him. We all did. He was the King of the Stretford End.’
The English Football League added: ‘An incredible career and an iconic player. Denis Law is one of the greatest. He will be sorely missed.’
Bryan Robson, United’s longest-serving captain in their history, paid homage to the great striker’s ‘wicked sense of humour’ and his generosity.
‘We have lost one of football’s giants both as a player and a gentleman. It’s incredibly sad,’ said Robson.
‘Denis was more than just a fantastic footballer, he was a fantastic man. So generous with his time and everything delivered with that great sense of humour of his.
‘He would always be in my greatest ever Manchester United XI. He was a player so many of his peers idolised and with good reason, that iconic image of him with his sleeves pulled down and the one arm salute after scoring.
‘I was a little nervous on first meeting him when I joined the club, as with Sir Bobby Charlton. But I had even more respect for Denis once I met him. He was just so warm in his welcome and I had an instant regard for the man he was, and the personality he had.
Fellow Man United legend Bryan Robson paid homage to Law’s ‘wicked sense of humour’
Law is United’s third-highest goalscorer of all-time behind Wayne Rooney and Charlton
‘I was lucky enough to work alongside him for so many events in an ambassadorial role and that wicked sense of humour, no matter what the occasion, always shone through. He was always so full of life, and invariably with a cup of tea in his hand.
‘No one could represent what Manchester United stood for better than him: full of flair on the pitch and a gentleman off it.’
Broadcaster Eamonn Holmes wrote: ‘Denis Law The Last of The Holy Trinity has left us.
‘One of my first jobs at BBC Northwest was to drive him home every Friday night Don’t think I ever topped that one! RIP Lawman.’
Piers Morgan added: ‘RIP Denis Law, 84. Last surviving member of Manchester United’s genius holy footballing trinity of Best, Law, Charlton. Brilliant player, wonderful character.’
A statement from the Law family on Friday night had 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.’
