Denis Law admitted most famous goal in Manchester derby history was ‘a fluke’

Denis Law, the legendary former Manchester United and Manchester City striker, has sadly passed away at the age of 84 following a battle with dementia

He scored perhaps the most famous goal in Manchester derby history.

But 50 years after his famous back-heel condemned Manchester United – the club where he had made himself a hero – to relegation (or at least that’s how the story goes) the great Denis Law insisted it was merely “a fluke”.

The Scot, part of the Holy Trinity during his time at Old Trafford – alongside fellow greats Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best – notched the winner for City at Old Trafford in April 1974 and it has entered folklore as the goal that relegated United, ending their 36-year stay in the top flight. In truth, other results meant United were down anyway, regardless of the 1-0 defeat due to Law’s goal.

In 2020, ‘The King’ exclusively told Mirror Football: “The back-heel was a fluke, yes.

“Well it was! I mean, a back-heel? How do you do a back-heel when you’re there? It wasn’t very nice, but that’s the game, isn’t it? It was my last kick of a ball in professional football. Isn’t that strange? That was it, a back-heel.”

Law, a Ballon d’Or winner in 1964, played for both the red side and the blue half of Manchester scoring 237 goals for United and 37 for City over two spells.

In his latter years he suffered with and spoke out about his dementia diagnosis, having seen his former United team-mates, Nobby Stiles and Charlton, both diagnosed with the degenerative condition.

On the matter, he said: “This will not be an easy journey especially for the people who love you the most,” Law said. “I know the road ahead will be hard, demanding, painful and ever changing and so ask for understanding and patience.

“I recognise how my brain is deteriorating and how my memory evades me when I don’t want it to and how this causes me distress in situations that are beyond my control.

“I do understand what is happening and that is why I want to address my situation now whilst I am able, because I know there will be days when I don’t understand and I hate the thought of that right now.”

Now, at the age of 84, the Scottish icon has sadly passed away. A statement from his family 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.”

The King is dead. Long live The King

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