Sir Alex Ferguson gave an emotional tribute to Denis Law at the funeral of “The King” at Manchester Cathedral.
Ferguson was among the attendees from Manchester United present at the service, which also included current manager Ruben Amorim and captain Bruno Fernandes. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family were not scheduled to be present. Law died last month aged 84.
The funeral procession started at Old Trafford, home to Law between 1962 and 1973. Academy players and staff formed a guard of honour and laid a wreath when the procession passed the Trinity Statue, depicting Law with George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.
“I normally read off the top of my head but I can’t today,” a visibly emotional Ferguson said as he stood to give tribute.
Flower of Scotland, Scotland’s national anthem, was played by a lone piper as Law’s coffin was carried into the cathedral, where former players Bryan Robson, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Peter Schmeichel and Gary Neville, and Liverpool and Scotland great Sir Kenny Dalglish, were among those invited.
United executives who attended included Omar Berrada, the CEO, and technical director Jason Wilcox. Harry Maguire was also among the current squad who attended the service led by the Revd Canon Dr Ian Jorysz.
Black and white images of Law stretched down the front of the East Stand of Old Trafford, where a book of condolence was open and flags flew at half mast in memory of one of the club’s greatest ever.
Co-owner Ratcliffe and the Glazer family, however, were not represented at the service to honour one of the club greats, who still holds the record for the most goals, 46, in a single season by a United player. Law was one of United’s greatest players and the winner of the Ballon d’Or, along with two First Division titles and the FA Cup during his time at Old Trafford.
He began at Huddersfield Town and was twice the most expensive player in Britain during a glittering career in which he also played for Manchester City and Torino in Italy. He joined United in 1962 and scored 237 goals in 404 appearances, earning the moniker “Lawman”.
“He was a great player and a real gentleman; a real nice man,” said former United forward Brian McClair. Other former players who attended included Mike Summerbee and Alex Stepney.
