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In pictures: Emotional scenes as football heroes turn out for funeral of Granite City great Denis Law

Final respects have been paid to the boy from Woodside who became a Manchester United legend.

Aberdeen's former Lord Provost Barney Crockett pictured with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes and Ruben Amorim as the group departs Manchester Cathedral after Denis Law's funeral. Image:  Jon Super/Shutterstock
Aberdeen's former Lord Provost Barney Crockett pictured with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes and Ruben Amorim as the group departs Manchester Cathedral after Denis Law's funeral. Image: Jon Super/Shutterstock

The football community has come together to pay its final respects to Aberdeen-born legend Denis Law.

The much-loved former Manchester United, Manchester City and Scotland forward died last month at the age of 84.

Born in raised in the Granite City, Law grew up in Woodside before becoming one of the world’s greatest footballers.

His legacy continues to be felt around Aberdeen with tributes still being laid at his statue outside Provost Skene’s House.

Today, Sir Alex Ferguson was among the crowds of fellow football legends who gathered to pay tribute to the striker who was known as “The King”.

The funeral procession for Denis Law passes the Trinity Statue outside Old Trafford. Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
The coffin of Denis Law is carried into Manchester Cathedral. Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Members of the public head inside Manchester Cathedral before the funeral. Danny Lawson/PA Wire.

Crowds pay respects to Denis Law

Hundreds of supporters lined the streets as the hearse made its way into the city centre from Old Trafford

The funeral cortege first passed the stadium where Law’s success saw him immortalised in two statues.

Current United head coach Ruben Amorim joined fans, dignitaries and figures from the footballing world for the service at Manchester Cathedral.

Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Tom Heaton and Maya Le Tissier represented the current teams.

Brian Kidd, Alex Stepney and Willie Morgan were among Law’s former United team-mates at the funeral.

They were joined by Law’s former City team-mate Mike Summerbee.

Bryan Robson, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Peter Schmeichel and Ruud van Nistelrooy were also in attendance.

Aberdeen’s former Lord Provost Barney Crockett could also be seen leaving the cathedral after the service.

Alex Ferguson arrives at Manchester Cathedral ahead of Denis Law’s funeral. Image: Jon Super/Shutterstock.
Tom Heaton, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire arrive: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
Members of the public head inside Manchester Cathedral before the funeral. Danny Lawson/PA Wire.
Flowers inside the hearse outside Manchester Cathedral. by Jon Super/Shutterstock
A person in the crowd wearing a Denis Law t-shirt outside Manchester Cathedral. Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.

Funeral of Denis Law ‘Aberdeen royalty’

In Aberdeen, he was regarded as royalty, with two separate statues in the city he loved.

He was even granted the rare honour of the Freedom of Aberdeen in 2017.

On January 17, a family statement announced his death, which came after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in 2021.

The statement read: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away.

Denis Law's death is being mourned across Aberdeen, seven years after a parade down Union Street in his honour.
Denis Law’s death is being mourned across Aberdeen, seven years after a parade down Union Street in his honour. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

“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.”

Law played 55 times for Scotland, scoring 30 goals.

He remains the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or.


Read more
Denis Law: The quiet man from Aberdeen who became a footballing superstar
Denis Law: Aberdeen’s most famous footballer’s life in pictures

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