Denis Law was Even Better Than You Think | Goals & Skills | RARE FOOTAGE

Career highlights of one of the greatest British footballers of all-time - not only goals (of which there are plenty), but also his dribbling, passing and some of his defensive actions. Denis Law modelled his game after Alfredo Di Stéfano and was a much more complete player than he's often remembered as - even though Busby had often ordered him to stay up front and score goals instead of roaming all over the pitch, trying to win the ball back or to help out a partner with a clever one-two.
Appropriately nicknamed the King of Old Trafford, Denis Law was the one who brought the club back to success, winning their first league title after the Munich Disaster as well as Ballon d'Or in 1964, the first Manchester United player to do so. He's well-known as a part of The Holy Trinity alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.
“Denis Law could dance on eggshells."
- Bill Shankly
“Denis Law was my hero as a player. I idolised him. For me, he epitomised everything a Scotsman is about. He was daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had style. He was a truly fantastic footballer."
- Sir Alex Ferguson
“He was a phenomenal footballer and there was hardly anything of him, he was so slight. You would have thought defenders would have snapped him in two with crunching tackles, but you would be wrong. Denis mixed it with the biggest physically, but it was they who came off second best. He scored fantastic goals throughout, yet there were countless ones from one or two yards. He was also a superb all-round footballer, not just a goalscorer. He is a super guy and I am proud to have him as a friend.”
- David Sadler
“Denis was fast, arrogant, tough, skilful, sharp, good in the air and it all just boiled down to a fantastic player. He was magic. Denis was a fierce competitor too - not long after that I played against him for England when we came up against Scotland, and he tried to kick me in the first minute! He was right up for it and he could handle himself, all right. If somebody fouled him he would be up and telling them he’d chin them!”
- Sir Bobby Charlton
“Manchester United has had some great finishers - Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie - but Denis was the best of the lot. If I’m not mistaken, he was the first player to employ the scissor kick and scored some spectacular goals.”
- Willie Morgan

[@stevemckenna2401]

Denis Law for me was underrated. He was fearless. Total penalty box predator. Don’t think people today realise what a great player he was. Absolute genius.

[@stuartmckay7350]

Had the pleasure of seeing him and the other great players Best ..Charlton

[@ivorscrotumic3556]

Underrated, my 4rse. You ask any man u fan (or Liverpool for that matter), how great Dennis Law was & they'll tell ya.

[@johnhughes8466]

One of the greatest strikers ever! Great allround footballer too! Old Trafford was a great place to be in the 60s with BEST,LAW AND CHARLTON! 3 of the best players ever!

[@johnpacino007]

Modern audiences think, he was just a " finisher " like a Cristiano Ronaldo or a Robert Lewandowski. He wasn't. He was a total footballer, that could defend, be a creative midfield passer & a sniper striker. He could dribble, pass, shoot, off both feet, tackle tenaciously & was a brilliant header of the ball, with a Pelé-Cristiano, basketball, hang time leap. A complete player!

[@HarmsFootball]

There's going to be quite a few of his "side skills" in the middle of the video although if you want to truly appreciate the genius of Denis Law you have to watch games in full. Such a wonderful and unique talent.

[@toby-hb3zy]

Who would you compare him to nowadays?

[@toby-hb3zy]

Also where would you rank him amongst the holy trinity?

[@barblessable]

so true ,genuinely world class.

[@airzulu2733]

World class plus was our Denis . It was a privilege to see this wonderful man play football. Greatest Scottish footballer of all time in my view .

[@andypryce1984]

Son of a fisherman from Aberdeen, Played for his country when only 18, His football magic's a sight to see, He leads United on to victory, Denis, Denis Law, King of the Football League.

[@mickfoskett6629]

You got it!!👍👹

[@robertbrown7408]

Looking at this, he could do the so called modern high press and win the ball.

[@Blackfive1945]

Best Scottish player ever .Would be worth 200 M now

[@IMMERSIVEVOICE]

Nah more like 190M

[@starofdavid9919]

@@IMMERSIVEVOICE Priceless, nobody today comes close

[@adib1321]

Kenny Dalglish is the best Scottish player.

[@adib1321]

@TalorcMcAllan George best even said Kenny Dalglish is the most complete player he seen other than di stefano,I will take George best statement for it

[@Blackfive1945]

@@adib1321 Nah .You forget Kenny got quite a bit stick too .Denis never did . 2 games against Checks ( can`t spell them ) in 1961 and 1973 were what Law was all about .Tremendous player . Loved more than Best by most Man U supporters

[@scottcraig6381]

If only the current team had half his desire work rate and talent…..what a player …world class…

[@1951woodygeo]

He ran for 90 minutes not like todays lot who have to be subbed after 60 minutes .

Amazing video, congratulations for your work! Denis Law deserved an exhaustive tribute like this one you shared with us! Keep it up!

[@midfieldgenius4636]

How long have you watched football?

[@stevejohnson5014]

Watched him home and away for a few seasons. He certainly wasn’t better than I thought. The most electric footballer I’ve seen in my lifetime. 👑

[@davidburns6681]

ME TOO

[@afcbgord1]

My father came from Aberdeen so we always took a close interest. Saw him play twice in the flesh. Strangely enough he didn't stand out in the England 9 v Scotland 3 match in 1961. Then again for Man U at Southampton in the late 60's. He was electrifying and this montage really captures his speed of thought, his speed off the mark and all round brilliance. Another poster asked which modern footballer might be similar to him. The answer is no-one. He had a unique, world class skill set and ability.

[@user-ph5ut9tw9l]

I was lucky enough to see Law, Charlton and Best play together several times. The description of Law as "the most electric player" is precisely what I remember about him. I'm not saying he was, or wasn't, the best of the three, but yes, an electric buzz is exactly what I felt each time he was in action in the box. He had an astonishing presence.

[@jJustPlayingNZ]

Great memories of my youth. Law and Best ! What a combination. Look at the conditions in some of those games, mud ice the lot. Law was the complete footballer. striker, play-maker, tenacious tackler, winner of the ball, and what a great header of the ball for an average height guy. Thanks

[@ewanmacfarlane9195]

Ahead of his time .So quick on the turn.And with Charlton and Best to combine with its just a joy. Football truly is the beautiful game.

[@starofdavid9919]

Busby wanted to sign Jimmy Johnstone of Celtic, could you imagine that attack.

[@patrickmckay307]

Denis Law was on his day ,the best Footballer on the planet.

[@UISTMAN59]

What day was that? A Saturday? :-)

[@alanjack1086]

@@UISTMAN59 Yes.

[@starofdavid9919]

Celtic fan, Agree

[@barblessable]

Dont be fooled into thinking he was just a goal getter ,he could pass it as well as anyone he was reluctant to go up front when younger as he liked to be more involved as a midfield play maker, he was fearless , two good feet ,and had tremendous spring in his legs could out jump much bigger defenders and had quick silver reactions in the penalty area , MY HERO. "Oh flower of Scotland when will we see your like again". So sad when the news of his diagnosis came out . Great memories of a world class player.

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

Met him when I was a kid in the sixties, he was then the king of old Trafford. He used to visit Gordon Low, a Bristol City player at the time. He was/is the nicest of men, so kind to us kids, something I’ve never forgotten!!!

[@Valhalla88888]

Dennis Law is rhe best player to ever play football ❤

[@targetglen]

You are looking at absolute genius, instinctive, lightning-swift, of a beauty that has never been seen since. The greatest Scottish player of all time and arguably the greatest in the world.

[@briannelson1784]

Had the good fortune to see Denis at his peak playing for Scotland a true great

[@barblessable]

me too , he had it all ,fearless, fast, two footed and could out jump much bigger defenders "oh flower of Scotland when will we see ......."

[@LordFlashheart.11]

Great player, he virtually played on one leg from the mid 60s due to a knee problem that was worse than he thought. Legend.

[@davidwaterhouse2552]

King of CITY and King of UNITED! Amazing footballer! dx

[@jon780249]

I was lucky enough to see Law. He was one of the greats, a complete striker.

[@macca1146]

Law, Best, Charlton, those 3 names put the fear of god in to defences in those days.

[@barblessable]

all 3 genuine world class players.

[@johnmccaughey2722]

Why didnt man utd win more titles with them?

[@henryb160]

@@johnmccaughey2722 Because the other top teams were also loaded with great players. Search YT for an Everton vs Man Utd game from the 1960s (it may've been the Charity Shield match), in which Law, Charlton and Best, were clearly played off the park

[@ossyable]

Great to see more than just a compilation of goals. What a remarkable player he was all over the pitch

[@Wayfarer4Christ]

I love watching these old games... my father played professional football in England (old Division 3 and 4) during this time and it brings back great memories of watching real men, playing with passion on pitches you wouldn't keep cattle on today! What I love the most is how every time a goal is scored the players celebrate with their team mates - none of this sliding into the corner to pose in front of their favourite photographer. What great days these were!

[@CliveAdlam-yn8uz]

My all time favourite, THE LAW MAN.

[@Bill-Butcher]

Brilliant video 👌👌👌 Law was a complete footballer... definitely on the shortlist for best ever Scottish player.... He'd be in all 3 of my all time Scotland, British and Man United teams, he had everything... thanks for sharing 👍

[@mrfedupable]

the greatest ever,Best second

[@davidfuters7152]

You don’t get to be a ballon dor winner by being average , and we had 3 of them Law , Best and Charlton Ohh to have them back on the pitches we have now RIP Sir Bobby , lucky enough to see the 3 of them on a few occasions, magnificent just magnificent

[@drchibolo9067]

Look at the field, football has indeed come a long way. Respect to the legends🙌

[@johncass7193]

saw him play for huddersfield when i was 10, an absolute genius

[@pbosustow]

What a well made video, thanks for highlighting what a fantastic player he was.

[@D_B_Cooper]

By modern standards a slight knee injury ended his best years. Before then he was the equal of anyone. Bergkamp was named after him which turned out to be a beautiful tribute

[@CliveAdlam-yn8uz]

The King., best ever, wonderful footballer, God.bless you, mr. Law man

[@DidYaServe]

He was my dad's favourite player. Messi is probably mine. There are some parallels between the two in terms of the freakish unpredictability in their attacking play. Leaving defenders on their arses, scratching their heads as they conceded goal after amazing goal. Law actually looks more rounded as an all-out striker. Two footed and good in the air despite not being the biggest.

[@starofdavid9919]

Law was in a class all of his own.

[@stuartrobertson9025]

What a player left foot,right foot,head,fearless and could dribble don’t make them like that anymore

[@tommyrocket2604]

I take my hat off to them all by just being able to play on such poor football pitches apart from that I have never seen any footballer to match the lightning reflexes of Dennis Law!

[@dougscrivens4002]

Before I played Saturday afternoon football, and Utd were in town, either at Villa, St Andrews or the Baggies, I made sure I earned enough pocket money to go see them What a team. But especially The Law Man.

[@bernardjay379]

He wasn't particularly tall but he was exceptional in the air. He was a great finisher.

[@gadaboutfootball7893]

That was ironically down to Bill Shankly when The King was at Huddersfield Town.

[@garyhillman4993]

Could out jump a 6 ft 3 defender. Incredible and such accuracy with his head and both feet. Prob the greatest British player better than Best and Charlton

[@johnhughes8466]

What a footballer Denis Law was! World class! Part of the greatest trio ever BEST ,LAW AND CHARLTON!

[@stevestevenson6816]

Wow he literally had everything, what a player

[@gadaboutfootball7893]

Terrific footage

[@bocajuniorboca]

I was blessed to see him in many of these moments.In 1963 he scored against Gordon Banks playing for 3 different teams. United, Scotland and The Rest of the World. He was a predator in the penalty area. A story I've heard is that a shot came back off Banks, who recovered just in time before the King was going to pounce. The story goes, that Denis whispered in Banks' ear, "remember Gordon, I'll always be here!" The opening comment about how many turned up just to watch him was true. United never said he wasn't playing until just before kick off!

[@renamamiya5300]

He is number one

[@joekavanagh7171]

I was privileged to be at Landsdowne Road, Dublin, in 1968 to see Denis playing for United against Waterford in the first round of the European Cup. He scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory, and four goals in a 7-1 victory in the second leg. He was a genius, whom Bill Shankley described as the greatest player he had ever seen.

[@joanhill355]

Always the King 10

[@raymondstoter6290]

Amazing player, as a young Arsenal fan , I was at the game where the clip of hearing scoring at Arsenal to put United 3 up,is shown, we got 2 back in 2nd half and were pushing for equalizer, Denis Law got the ball and Arsenal players could not get the ball off him, Und won 3 2, I also remember being at Old Trafford Und v Arsenal, he had a fight with Arsenals Ian Ure both got sent off , they went off the field arms round each other, my all time Favorite player outside Arsenal players of course.

[@ivorscrotumic3556]

Shankly wanted Dennis Law at Liverpool. You can see why. What a player.

[@garyhillman4993]

What a player. What a great header of a ball passer striker dribbler from a Leeds fan he was magic better than Best he was the best

[@dianelynas8700]

Not to mention, look at the state of the pitches, the balls and even the boots that were available elevates him even higher.

[@outlawww.]

I love to see legends playing the game in the way it should be. Manchester United is a club with a lot of history, also it is a team that has been through many ups and downs, but no matter what state the club is in the fans always support them. Atleast the real fans not dem fakes one :v GGMU👹

[@kochstevens3210]

Cool sound track on this vid!

[@cemiltatari6804]

He is only 1.75 cm or so, and still takes the high crosses. amazing athlete..

[@thepaulmacfarlane]

My footie HERO

[@iancognito6920]

saw him live as a 6 year old child with my Dad at everton ...I remember a cross and him being way above others to head the goal ...still remember thinking hiw could he jump so high

[@petermorris9818]

He wasn't even better than I thought. He was the King.

[@MANCHESTER.IS.BLUE.49]

Manchester City legend...he loved City so much he played for them twice...

[@geoffreyking4515]

The lawman a legend,you can't talk about Scottish football without law and baxter

[@Chris1553]

Denis was one of the greats, he was a tough little begger , when you had to look after yourself !

[@clivebaxter6354]

Best I ever saw

[@sgbh8874]

Brilliant

[@robertcurrie5140]

Pure Quality

[@Boksburg1982]

Look at the condition of the pitches back then. The modern day "superstars" would refuse to play on them.

[@suffern63]

Why can't Scotland produce any players like they once did in such numbers?

[@conner1260]

Better discipline back then I think

[@D_B_Cooper]

Boys played football all day, every day, in the streets. No longer

[@leehambleton9919]

What a player legend

[@Lurchin]

The King

[@McConnachy]

He’s the real king of Scotland, Annie Lennox is the real Queen. Both from Aberdeen. Stand free

[@neilrafferty2097]

So good in the air.

[@abigailirvine3414]

Absolutely priceless

[@lesliegiles8401]

Se sensational player so quick what a player

[@MrGranfield]

In the early to mid sixties the two outstanding players in England, bar none, were Law and Greaves.

[@topgazza]

Imagine the terror as a defender seeing Charlton passing to Best who passes to Law in the penalty area.

[@jazzman1954]

Law, Best, Charlton. The Beatles, Stones, The Who, Hendrix. Nazis defeated. Britain still a massive economy and military power. What a period of history that I am glad to have witnessed.

[@steffanhoffmann]

I can't add much to the admirable accolades already written here. So 1. He played for both Manchesters twice ✅ 2. He had problems in Torino but he disliked Italian ⚽ eventually, with its man marking in those days. 3. He was a 100% player. I'd have voted for him, as UTDs best player, if I was a fan.

[@daveloboda1769]

Eric Cantona has been known as the King by modern day United fans. As good as Eric was, there is only one King and that is Denis Law.

[@fredcapp40]

He invented the bicycle kick👏🙌🙏

[@davidmarr7570]

great footballer who put bums on seats. Big call but one of Scotland's best ever.

[@Bumlove4everyone]

Pity he hadn't been at his peak during 74 world cup.

[@plane-crashes-aussie-stories]

Wish he'd never played for City. One of my fave players. I have an autographed photo and shirt from him. A legend!

[@joekavanagh7171]

He hated scoring that goal

[@bunchlead]

Scotland's greatest ever player.

[@peterhussey6751]

Technically perfect but Jeez wiry as hell a very well balanced athlete the old timers didn’t give out praise Willy nilly was waiting for a comprehensive highlight reel to confirm what I already knew anyway

[@colinb8103]

You left him unmarked at your peril,in an era when defenders literally marked you

[@mohdazmi10]

Thr ony scot to win the Ballon D'or.

[@flynnt1953]

@toby6666, Denis was a unique player, incomparable.

[@stimkk]

Believe it or not this man is my great 2nd uncle

[@HarmsFootball]

Give him all of our love when you’ll have the chance ❤️ Hopefully he is well, it was devastating to learn about his current health issues.

[@stimkk]

@@HarmsFootball Thank you for your kind words however at this time I have not seen him in a good 9 years but I do hope I can soon I will be sure to let him know how loved he is by all of you.

[@mick6370]

For me all the best strikers were of the build of Dennis Law slim wirery above all goal poachers, Allan Clarke, Mick Channon are other examples are similar build but proper strikers.

[@jamesbarr5170]

Rare footage when billions have access to it on KZbin? 😀😀😀 Good stuff anyway, thanks.

[@onechanneltorulethemall]

Denis Law was a 7, an 8, a 9, 10 or 11

[@davidharwood6209]

We know the rivalry between united & Liverpool,but I think Denis's goal haul for Scotland,was not beaten,but equaled(30) by Kenny dalgliesh was out of respect for a past king & a future king,it may be just a thought,& only one man knows if that is true ?

[@peterflynn6327]

Back when the real Greats came from Britain.

[@johndelve]

I love these videos of such great players as Law but why do they ALWAYS have such awful music attached? So 10/10 for content, 0/10 for the music....

[@muradhosain9864]

I just pulled him in efootball he is 99 overall.

[@nikennis2423]

MAT BUSBY FAVORITE .Dennis and Duncan.Kathleen McGrath Ennis.

[@stuartdunlop5077]

Anybody know the game at 7:17? I have a signed photo of him carrying the ball after he scores.

[@robbuchanan3978]

Drop the music. Jesus !

[@billybobobenner]

How do you know how good I think he was?

[@1951woodygeo]

The Lawman a Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and Man Utd Legend as good if not better than King Kenny .

[@HarmsFootball]

I'm biased but he was better 😀

[@garyhillman4993]

Better than king Kenny

[@joekavanagh7171]

He scored the same number of goals for Scotland as Dalglish in half the number of games. That sums up how much better he was.

[@peterbonnar3088]

He was nearly as good as Jimmy Johnstone. 9 out of 10 for Dennis and 10 out of 10

[@joekavanagh7171]

Only a Celtic fanatic would say that

[@nikennis2423]

MAT ; Busby favorite with Duncan Edwards..Read Johnny Doherty book..Kathleen McGrath.

[@alanjack1086]

If you look at the condition of some of the pitches he had to play on,his goal scoring average is even more staggering.

[@george5moran]

Just a shame about the music.

[@user-rc9zh8tl7l]

Им бы современные мячи Бутсы и поляны

[@andreas-pryce]

Современные мячи намного легче старых.

[@gm2407]

I think that modern balls also dont soak in and hold; which is the key difference. In the 60s it must have been like heading a full pale of water.

[@peterdowney1492]

Not better than I ever thought. He's seen as the poor cousin of the holy trinity. He wasn't, far from it. Every bit as good as the other two. He missed out on two major moments. Scotland had a side worthy of playing in the 66 final. They should have been there but .... well, they weren't. And injury ruled him out the European final.

[@UISTMAN59]

"Denis Law was Even Better Than You Think" It rather depends on how good you think I think he was, doesn't it? There is no yardstick by which you can measure how "good" a player is anyway.