The China Mail - Man Utd legends gather to pay final respects to 'one of the greatest' Law

The only Scottish player to ever win the Ballon d'Or died aged 84 on January 17.

Law played for both Manchester clubs during a glittering career that also included spells at Huddersfield and Torino.

But it is at Old Trafford where he made his name, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances to sit behind only Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton as the club's third highest goalscorer of all time.

Law shares the record of 30 international goals for Scotland with Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish, who was also among the mourners at Manchester Cathedral.

"Denis Law was one of the greatest players at Man United," Ferguson said. "Doesn't matter what time, all the time.

"Trying to place Denis in the pantheon of the great players is made easier by Pele.

"Pele was asked was there any British player who could play for the Brazil team? He said without equivocation, Denis Law. It was a fantastic tribute when you consider what a great player he was."

Club captains Bruno Fernandes and Maya Le Tissier represented the current men and women's teams alongside chief executive Omar Berrada.

United legends Bryan Robson, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Peter Schmeichel and Ruud van Nistelrooy were among others at the service.

Hundreds of supporters congregated at Old Trafford as the funeral cortege passed the stadium, where Law's success was immortalised in two statues, before heading into Manchester city centre.

"How many statues are there around Old Trafford? He's got two," said Schmeichel. "Only the King gets two."

A book of condolence was open and flags flied at half-mast in memory of one of the club's greatest ever players.

Y.Parker--ThChM