‘A privilege and honour’ – Denis Law tributes pour in as Beckham, Neville and Rooney pay respects to Man Utd icon

MANCHESTER UNITED stars of past and present have paid tribute to club legend Denis Law.

The Red Devils icon following a long battle with Alzheimer's.

United trio David Beckham, Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney were among figures from around the world of football to pay their respects to the Scot.

Becks wrote on his Instagram page: "Tonight we lost a true gentleman of the game. Our heart goes out to Denis's family.

"Our hearts are heavy tonight. A legend on the field but the perfect gentleman off."

Neville, who played 400 times for United during a two-decade career, wrote: "Rest in Peace Denis.

"A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End."

Ex-England forward Rooney took to X, writing: "Legend. Thoughts with all Denis' family and friends."

Law's ex-United teammate Brian Kidd added: "He was slight, with the heart of a lion.

"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 [Busby] loved him. We all did. He was the King of the Stretford End."

Former Man Utd captain Bryan Robson penned his own tribute, saying: "We have lost one of football’s giants both as a player and a gentleman.

"It’s incredibly sad, he was more than just a fantastic footballer, he was a fantastic man."

Law's family confirmed the United legend's passing in a statement released by the club on Friday evening.

It read: "Manchester United is deeply saddened to share the following statement on behalf of the Law family.

"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."

Law began his career with Huddersfield Town as a teenager in the mid-1950s.

The League One club wrote on X: "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."

Law later moved to Manchester City and Torino before arriving at Old Trafford in 1962.

Over the next 11 years, he would win two First Division titles and a European Cup with United.

One member of United's Holy Trinity alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best, Law netted a remarkable 237 goals in 404 games.

Capped 55 times by Scotland, his national team wrote on X: "A true great. We will not see his likes again."

And Law's international teammate Joe Jordan told the BBC: "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."