Today marks the 64th anniversary of Denis Law’s transfer from Torino to Manchester United. The Scottish forward went on to break a record that stands to this day.
When it comes to Manchester United’s all-time top scorers, Denis Law, who scored 237 goals, is only beaten by Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton.
Law became United’s first and Scotland’s only Ballon d’Or winner, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup and the European Cup, although he missed the 1968 final due to a knee injury.
To celebrate the anniversary of Law’s transfer to United in 1962, United In Focus looks back at his record-breaking 1963/64 season.
Which one of these World Cup legends would have been the best signing for Man Utd?
Revisiting Denis Law’s greatest Man Utd season
On Monday, 12 June 1962, the King arrived at Old Trafford.
Law signed a deal worth £115,000 from Italian club Torino after earlier spells with Huddersfield Town and Man City.
Not only did Law score in the 1963 FA Cup final win over Leicester City, but his second season at the club is remembered as his best on an individual note.
Law still holds the record for scoring the most goals (46) for United in a single campaign, from the 1963/64 season.
The former Scotland international managed his tally of 46 goals in just 42 appearances, averaging an impressive 1.1 goals per game.
Manchester United top scorers from single seasons:
- Denis Law – 46 goals (1963/64)
- Ruud van Nistelrooy – 44 goals (2002/03)
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 42 goals (2007/08)
- Denis Law – 39 goals (1964/65)
- Ruud van Nistelrooy – 36 goals (2001/02)
These goalscoring figures helped Law win the Ballon d’Or award in 1964.
Astonishingly, Law could have scored more goals had his season not been interrupted by a 28-day suspension following a red card against Aston Villa.
It was an incredible year for United as George Best broke into Sir Matt Busby’s first team, making 17 appearances, alongside Sir Bobby Charlton.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Denis Law signed for Manchester United from Torino in a deal worth £150,000
- In his second season (1963/64), Law scored 46 goals in 42 appearances
- Law holds the record for scoring the most goals for United in a single season
The Busby Babes reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1957 and 1958
Were the Busby Babes destined to go all the way in the European Cup before the Munich air disaster?
Did Denis Law ever represent Scotland at the World Cup?
For Scotland, Law earned 55 caps and scored 30 goals for his country, sharing the record with Kenny Dalglish.
The United legend represented Scotland at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany.
Law was 34 at the time and made one appearance against Zaire (now DR Congo). Scotland won the match 2-0.
He was subsequently dropped to the bench for Scotland’s remaining matches before being eliminated on goal difference.
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