Sir Bobby Charlton: Denis Law on ‘dream’ Man Utd team-mate – ‘Most keepers didn’t stand a chance’

Fans have adorned the United Trinity statue with scarves and other tokens of remembrance

Denis Law has paid tribute to his former Manchester United team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton, saying playing with him was “a dream”.

Along with George Best, they formed United’s so-called ‘Holy Trinity’ as the club rebuilt following the 1958 Munich air disaster.

A statue of the trio at Old Trafford has become a place for fans to remember Charlton, who died on Saturday aged 86.

“What a striker of the ball he was,” Law, 83, told United’s website.

“He could hit the ball so hard that I knew most keepers didn’t stand a chance. On the rare occasion they did manage to deflect it, it would drop nicely to me to finish it off.

“We had many special and successful years together and he was a joy to play with. He knew where every player was on the pitch and for me that was a dream. I knew, if Bobby had the ball, it would find me, and it did.”

United said over 1,000 supporters signed a book of condolence on Sunday at Old Trafford.

The current first-team players and manager Erik ten Hag also wrote messages at the club’s training ground, to be added to the book in the coming days.

Some of those who turned out to sign the book at United’s stadium may have had first-hand memories of seeing Charlton, Law and Best in action.

Although an injured Law missed United’s victory in the 1968 European Cup final, as they became the first English team to win the trophy, he won two league titles alongside Best, who died in 2005, and Charlton.

Charlton spent 17 years as a first-team player at Old Trafford, netting 249 goals in 758 games, and also scored 49 goals in 106 appearances for England, famously helping them win the 1966 World Cup.

Law said: “The great part of playing with Bobby and George was that if one of us was having a bad day, the other two knew and that’s what made our relationship special.

“Sir Bobby was an unbelievable player and a gentleman. Manchester United meant everything to him.

“I am saddened by the news, like all football fans today.”