Manchester United v Rangers UEL match programme, 23.01.25

THURSDAY 23 JANUARY 2025 Kick-off 8pm • League phase, matchday seven

“We must ensure we all fight together, from the first whistle to the last second of the game”

Ruben AMORIM

What we have seen so far since I arrived at Manchester United has not been good enough. We all have to be honest with one another.

Ever since I arrived I have warned that we would have to suffer together, and that is exactly where we are. However, that does not make it acceptable to be losing so

many games. We all must remember that we are representing Manchester United in every game and that there are standards we have to meet.

So, as we welcome Philippe Clement and Rangers to Old Trafford this evening, it is quite obvious what we have to do. Yes, there will be some tactical elements to how we approach the game, but those are small details in our approach; most important of all is that we recognise our situation, acknowledge the importance of this game in our UEFA Europa League campaign, and ensure that we all fight together from the first whistle to the last second of the game.

I can say without doubt that Rangers will come here looking to exploit our situation. They are in almost the same position as us in the group-stage table, so they will come with a big away support, looking forward to a battle for the points. It is everybody’s job to be ready for that fight.

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD

Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc

Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

A HOMAGE TO REDS ROYALTY

On Sunday, Old Trafford paid its respects to one of the great legends in Manchester United history, Denis Law, following the Scot’s sad passing at the age of 84.

Lone piper Terry Carr led United and Brighton out of the tunnel before kick-off, on to the turf where Law delivered so many indelible

memories across 11 swashbuckling years. Club announcer Alan Keegan read a moving poem, before Sir Alex Ferguson accompanied three of Law’s former team-mates – Alex Stepney, Paddy Crerand and Brian Kidd – in the laying of a wreath within the centre circle.

A poignant atmosphere enveloped the stadium – not just during these moments, but throughout a sad and emotional day. Younger fans could regularly be overheard asking guardians about ‘The King of the Stretford End’ and vivid, descriptive stories of the great man’s feats pored forth.

The gist was invariably this: you didn’t just watch Denis play; you experienced it. Curious United Review readers need only slide on to YouTube and watch clips of his goals –particularly those from his golden mid-’60s years – to get the idea. Law’s movement inside the penalty area was electric; his powers of anticipation and agility almost dizzying. When he rose to thrust a header goalwards, or flung himself skywards to lash a high volley, he sparked a noise from the Old Trafford crowd unlike anything else. Even the way he wore his kit – shirt untucked, hands clutching the cuffs

– and celebrated his goals (one finger pointing heavenwards) seared into the mind’s eye, the images never to be forgotten.

Tonight the Stretford End will pay tribute to those memories, via a surfer flag that will pass over a stand that houses a statue solely devoted to its King. Inside the pages of UR, meanwhile, we’re striving to do justice to a legacy that will endure until football ceases to be played on this planet. The stadium’s book of condolence is also open, and will remain so until 6pm on Friday.

How fitting, too, that a team from Denis’s homeland are tonight’s visitors. The great man always stressed that being selected to play for his country was the greatest honour in a career simply stuffed with individual and collective glory. He never played club football in Scotland, but his goalscoring exploits with the national team are yet to be surpassed, and he remains the only Scot to win the Ballon d’Or

Was anybody more patriotic about being Scottish? Well, that’s a question only others can answer. All we know, here at Old Trafford, is that few players, if any, have ever been more loved than Denis.

Fans leave tributes to The King of the Stretford End prior to the match against Brighton

The players help lead the pre-match applause to the legendary and much-loved Scot

A lone piper leads the teams out at an emotional Old Trafford on Sunday

TOP-EIGHT TARGET

Automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League’s knockout phase is what both United and Rangers are hoping to achieve over the next week, with tonight seeing a rare cross-border battle between the famous clubs

Manchester United v Rangers has only appeared on the competitive fixture list four times prior to this evening, but there’s no doubting the interest and intrigue that it always brings – especially when there’s so much resting on tonight’s fifth meeting.

Three points for either side would be a big step towards sealing automatic qualification to the last-16 knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League. The Reds go into the game a point ahead of our Glasgow rivals in seventh position, while Rangers sit in eighth, and both sides know how key a positive result could be in avoiding the knockout play-off round.

The sides last met on a damp summer’s afternoon in Edinburgh during pre-season, but pairings in European competition have been

sparse in recent history, and overall, with just four Champions League group-stage encounters prior to tonight’s fixture: two in 2003/04, then two more in 2010/11. United have three wins so far, with the other being the last meeting here in September 2010, when Rangers doggedly battled to a goalless draw.

Our pre-season clash at Murrayfield ended as a 2-0 win for the Reds thanks to goals from Amad (right) and Joe Hugill, a game in which both sides fielded 21 players across the warm-up fixture.

That friendly provided our opening scorer with a platform from which he’s built a successful season so far. The Ivorian, who spent half of the 2021/22 campaign

on loan at Ibrox, is enjoying his finest campaign in a Reds shirt and a week ago bagged his first United hat-trick in our win against Southampton. He’s someone Rangers know they’ll have to watch closely tonight. A home win could even be enough for Ruben Amorim’s men to secure progression in a top-eight spot ahead of our final game of this phase away to FCSB next Thursday, but we’d need plenty of help with results elsewhere in the other matches taking place across the continent tonight. Whatever the result, it is sure to be quite the atmosphere inside Old Trafford as two greats of the British game slug it out once again. C’mon United!

The Reds got the better of last July’s friendly encounter at Murrayfield but the stakes tonight are far higher as both teams seek to progress to the knockout stages

Leicester CUP DATE confirmed

The club recently announced that our Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie with Leicester City will take place at Old Trafford on Friday 7 February (8pm kick-off). We’ve already faced the Foxes twice this season, in the Premier League and Carabao Cup, and emerged victorious on both occasions. The East Midlands club are now managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, of course, who steered us to success the last time Leicester visited M16, back in October. The game will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom via ITV and is the first FA Cup tie of a busy weekend, in which 32 teams will scrap it out for a place in the fifth round.

MUNICH MEMORIAL SERVICE DETAILS

The club’s annual Munich anniversary memorial service will take place again at Old Trafford this year, and all fans are invited to attend. The commemorative event will begin at 2.45pm on Thursday 6 February below the Munich Clock, before the traditional minute’s silence at 3.04pm and the singing of The Flowers of Manchester shortly afterwards. Supporters are also encouraged to stop by the International Suite following the conclusion of the service, where tea and coffee will be available to all. We look forward to welcoming you to Old Trafford as we pay our respects on the 67th anniversary of this important day in the club’s history.

3 TOONE TREBLE IN DERBY WIN

United Women registered a first-ever away win in the Manchester derby on Sunday, when an Ella Toone hat-trick inspired Marc Skinner’s side to a 4-2 win over the Blues. Toone was absent for much of November and December due to a calf injury and the passing of her father, Nick, but returned to Women’s Super League action with devastating effect at the Etihad. The England international found the net twice in the first half, with Leah Galton’s close-range finish also contributing to our 3-2 lead at the break, before Ella completed her hat-trick seconds after the restart. The result lifts us above City and into third place in the WSL, ahead of this weekend’s action. The Reds face Brighton next up, at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday (6.45pm) – scan the code (right) for tickets.

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Bruno Fernandes and former United Women skipper Katie Zelem pay their respects at last year’s service at Old Trafford

Casemiro gets the scoring up and running in our 5-2 Carabao Cup defeat of the Foxes back in October

Toone celebrates completing her match-winning hat-trick at the Etihad last Sunday

IT’S MAKE OR BREAK TIME...

Away from Old Trafford, the majority of the competition’s 36 teams are also playing their second-to-last games of the league phase tonight

The penultimate set of league-phase fixtures are being held across the continent this week, as the centrepiece stage of this season’s UEFA Europa League approaches its climax.

Two games have already been contested in Turkey, after Galatasaray hosted Dynamo Kyiv, – the tournament’s only eliminated side after six match rounds – on Tuesday, and high-flyers Athletic Club travelled to Besiktas on Wednesday.

The action continues tonight, with 32 clubs playing across the 16 remaining ties, evenly split between kick-off times of 5.45pm and 8pm.

After Athletic Club (second as UR went to print) and Galatasaray (sixth) continued their campaigns in recent days, the earlier window features two more front-runners that joined United in the top eight of the 36-team table before this week’s schedule began.

Lyon (fourth) visit Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the competition’s third and final encounter staged in Turkey this week, while Anderlecht (who are one spot higher than Lyon) will be hoping to maintain their lossless record when they face our most recent European opponents, Viktoria Plzen, at the Doosan Arena in Czechia.

The 5.45pm matches also involve a pair of sides that are only outside of those top eight positions – which guarantee automatic qualification to the last 16 – on goal difference.

Ninth-placed Tottenham – behind our visitors Rangers in eighth – will be aiming to rise up the table when they play away to Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim, while Romanians FCSB – who host us in the final round of league-phase matches

After recording a 2-0 matchday six win over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, Athletic Club returned to Turkey last night to take on Besiktas with a chance to reach the league-phase summit

next Thursday – also spearhead the pack of 16 sides currently on course to head into the knockout phase play-offs.

That’s ahead of their trip to Azerbaijani champions Qarabag, who are looking to take something from the tie to stay in the competition.

At the same time, there’s potentially pivotal

clashes between teams stationed close to each other in the play-off places: Porto and Olympiacos are separated by a sole point prior to their duel, and the situation is the same for AZ Alkmaar and Roma ahead of their meeting in the Netherlands. Norwegian title-holders Bodo/Glimt, who ran us close at

the Theatre of Dreams during our 3-2 win over them in November, are also in that mix and play Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who have won their last two European outings after starting the campaign disappointingly with four successive defeats.

That puts the club from Israel just below the play-offs zone, in 27th spot, and narrowly ahead of Malmo and Twente in the standings, who have an important head-to-head in Sweden on tonight’s schedule.

That is all before the first whistle here at Old Trafford, and in seven other encounters being played at 8pm. The pick of those games is arguably at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, where Lazio know that they can secure a round-of-16 spot with victory over Real Sociedad

Marco Baroni’s table-toppers started the week at the summit by virtue of their superior goal difference over Athletic Club, but the points on offer in Italy tonight are also needed by La Real, who could join them in the top eight this evening if results go their way.

Ajax, level on points with the Basque club, harbour ambitions of a similar leap up the ladder ahead of their meeting with Latvian outfit RFS, who must realise a famous victory

A point adrift of the play-off places, German club Hoffenheim – held to a goalless draw by FCSB last time out – welcome a Tottenham side intent on elevating themselves into the automatic qualification spots

Having seemingly turned the corner with two consecutive Europa League wins, Israeli side Maccabi Tel-Aviv will be looking to climb out of the elimination zone in Norway tonight where they face Bodo/Glimt

Marco Baroni and his Lazio side can secure safe passage to the round of 16 when they take on Real Sociedad at the Stadio Olimpico this evening

over the Dutch giants in Riga to stay in the running for the knockout phase.

Having occupied the top eight’s fifth position after six games, Eintracht Frankfurt will be willing both Ajax and Real Sociedad to slip up, while they look to fortify their stranglehold on an automatic qualification spot by overcoming Ferencvaros in Germany. The latter – current champions of Hungary – are a dangerous

opponent, however, and boast one of just four Europa League marksmen to net five goals in the opening six matchdays, in Hungarian international Barnabas Varga.

Galatasaray’s Yunus Akgun, Porto’s Samu Aghehowa and United’s Rasmus Hojlund –after his match-winning brace in Plzen – also racked up a quintet of strikes before the turn of the year, and join Varga among the favourites to finish as the competition’s top scorer by the time it concludes in May.

Four other matches from among the later run of fixtures involve sides in the bottom half of the standings, but who are still in the running to make a late surge and at least take their campaigns beyond January. Recent Old Trafford visitors PAOK host Slavia Praha, while Union Saint-Gilloise take on Braga, one of Ruben Amorim’s former clubs.

Nice are in action too and know they must win away at Elfsborg to avoid instant elimination, while Ludogorets need the minimum of a point from their home clash with Midtjylland if they are to take their European bid to next Thursday’s all-important final week of Europa League fixtures.

All of which means it’s set up to be a big few hours ahead – and not only here in M16!

Ferencvaros forward Barnabas Varga celebrates one of his five Europa League goals so far this term, a tally that placed him joint-top in the competition scoring charts heading into matchday seven

The third player sharing the top-scoring spotlight with our own Rasmus Hojlund is Porto’s Samu Aghehowa

Galatasaray’s Yunus Akgun is another with five Europa League goals to his name, with his side in action on Tuesday against already eliminated Dynamo Kiev

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ONANA Andre

We know how important this competition is,

and we will give everything”

Having reached the UEFA Europa League final previously, Onana wants to go one step further, but he knows we have a long way to go...

European football is back tonight. What have you made of our UEFA Europa League games so far this season? We started with three draws, but have won the last three…

The most important thing for us is to win. As Manchester United players, we know how important this competition is. For the guys, they all know, it’s a big opportunity for us to go directly into the Champions League, so we will give everything to win the Europa League. We will give everything. It will not be easy because some opponents are very good, and that’s why we draw some games against very good

opponents in the past. But our mentality and the standard is always high. Any competition we will step in to play, we have to go in with a winning mentality. Not only the Europa League, but in the FA Cup as well, and in the Premier League we have to try to finish as high as we can.

You mention the quality of the opponents  in this competition and next up are Rangers, who have picked up some  good results in Europe. How much do you know about them?

It’s a very good team and I expect them to play good football. We faced them in the friendly [in Edinburgh] early in the season. They have a lot of speed up front. So, very good players. But we are Manchester United, and they will play against us here at home. It will not be easy for them – and it will not be easy for us as well – but we will approach the game with the right mentality.

The England v Scotland rivalry is a big one, and they’re going to bring a lot of fans to this game from north of the border. Do you enjoy playing in the kind of atmosphere expected this evening?

One hundred per cent, but what I know is our guys, our soldiers [the fans] will be there, and they will make more noise than them! I can guarantee that. At Old Trafford we are home, and no-one is making more noise than us.

Has that impressed you recently – the backing that the supporters are giving us here at Old Trafford, despite some mixed results?

Not only this year but last year, too. All these guys, especially our away fans, they travel so many kilometres for us. Even when sometimes the result wasn’t there, they were there fighting, supporting. As a player, you know you can only thank them for what they are doing – it’s unbelievable. We’re having a fantastic night against Rangers at home, so we’ll give everything to make them happy, because we know they were there when

things were not good, and they will always be with us when things are not good. It has to be a fantastic night for all of us, and that communion between them and us has to be special. And hopefully we will win the game, because it’s so important for us.

You know all about playing in the final  of the Europa League, as you got there with Ajax in 2017. Unfortunately for you, United won on that occasion – the only time we’ve won this tournament. What are your memories of that game in Stockholm eight years ago?

The memories? Well, it was a difficult one for me to lose. I know what losing is like, so I have to make sure this doesn’t happen any more.

losing out to United in

“Rangers have a lot of speed up front but we are Manchester United and we will approach the game with the right mentality...”

So that’s why, since the beginning [of the season], I’m already talking about winning the Europa League. Because I was there, I was in the final, and I lost, unfortunately, against United. So this time it will be to win, because we have to show we are one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Are you still proud of that run to the final with Ajax though? Matthijs de Ligt was in the same team as well, of course, as United won the game 2-0...

For us it was just unbelievable because a few months before we were playing with the second team, and we achieved for Ajax the unthinkable at that time. We were young players, and we were playing so good with no experience and then – bam! – we arrived to the final. Of course, we play against better teams than ours [in that cup run]. United had a great coach, great players. We lost because they were just better than us and we were young with no experience. I lost against United; now I have to win for them. We know the competition. We can read the games. We know when to play long, when to play short, we can feel it. It’s a different time.

Having faced Rangers in a pre-season friendly at Murrayfield, our stopper knows the Scottish side will present a tough test this evening but says the Reds will be well prepared

After

the 2017 final, the former Ajax stopper is determined to be part of the next Reds side to lift the trophy

“At Ajax it was unbelievable because a few months before we were with the second team then – bam! – we arrived to the final”

How good is it to be back in the same team with Matthijs and lining up behind him here at United?

ery nice. I enjoyed myself playing with him at Ajax [between 2016 and 2019] and I’m enjoying myself playing with him here. What a good guy, and a very good player. But not only him – we are also all good guys here because we know each other for more than one year already. You have some players who have just arrived. They’re also very good guys. It’s a very good group, so I’m very proud of this team. I’m happy to be part of this family because, at the end of the day, only together can we achieve big things. So now we have to stay together when things are not

going well and enjoy and give the reward to those who make us win. Together we can do a lot of things.

So, the target is – or one of them – to be in that UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao at the end of May?

We know where the final is, so we will do everything to be there. We are Manchester United, and when you arrive in this stage of the competition, we just have to show we are better than the opponent. This is what  we have to do, because the step to reach the final is still long. It’s still a long way to go, so of course, we have to go step by step, we will go game by game, but the main priority is to win the Europa League.

Stepping out for our matchday six fixture in Plzen – a night that saw us climb into the top spots of the competition’s group phase

RANGERS

THE GLASGOW GIANTS RETURN TO EUROPE SEEKING A FIRST-EVER COMPETITIVE WIN OVER THE REDS, WITH BOTH SIDES ENTERING THIS EVENING’S PENULTIMATE GROUP-PHASE CONTEST OCCUPYING THE FINAL TWO AUTOMATIC QUALIFICATION

SPOTS TO THE LAST-16 STAGE...

Nicknames: The Gers

Founded: 1872

Ground: Ibrox Stadium (capacity 51,700)

Last season: Scottish Premiership, 2nd; UEFA Europa League, Round of 16

Top European achievements:

UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup winners 1971/72; runners-up 1960/61, 1966/67

UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League runners-up: 2007/08, 2021/22

UEFA Super Cup runners-up: 1972

NEED TO KNOW

Rangers boss Philippe Clement seems to have had the ‘under-pressure’ prefix permanently attached to his name throughout 2024/25, but the Belgian will be hoping the morale-boosting 3-0 New Year defeat of Old Firm rivals Celtic can kickstart his side’s domestic campaign. A Champions League qualifying exit to Dynamo Kyiv and four Scottish Premiership defeats by Boxing Day – to Celtic, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and, most worryingly, struggling St Mirren –were typical of the Gers’ inconsistency, but their Europa League form has been far better.

Currently occupying the eighth and final seeded spot for the last 16, the blue half of Glasgow have tasted defeat just once – a 4-1 home defeat to Lyon – in six outings. Especially impressive has been Rangers’ away form in picking up seven points from a possible nine on their travels, with a professional 2-0 win at Malmo kicking off the league phase before November’s bravura 4-1 win in Nice in which the 55-time Scottish champions dominated from the first whistle and could have scored more.

On his first European start after opening his Rangers account in the previous matchday’s 4-0 Ibrox defeat of FCSB, Hamza Igamane led the line superbly and has since replaced Cyriel Dessers as first-choice centre-forward. Moroccan forward Igamane’s ensuing goal splurge has helped restore some confidence to his team.

“The bigger the challenge, the more hungry I am in life,” said Clement recently. “It’s good now that we’re all aligned and have the same plan towards getting there. That’s

TACTICS BOARD

Latest news from the Rangers camp, plus profiles and tactics...

crucial. What is it within me that wants to keep going? It’s because I’m a winner.”

Battle of Britain Part one...

Goals haven’t been hard to come by for Rangers in the Europa League – only Lazio, Galatasaray, Ajax and Lyon have found the net more regularly than the Gers’ 13. With in-form attacking duo Ianis Hagi and Danilo (who have played their way back into Clement’s domestic thinking) ineligible in the Europa League, Wolfsburg loanee Vaclav Cerny is vital to such numbers. The Czech right-winger has 12 goals, to go with a further seven assists, in all competitions this season and his eye for goal and

Head coach Clement’s 4-2-3-1 formation remains sacrosanct, but the 50-year-old Belgian still instils some tactical tweaks in his side, depending on the opposition. Last time out in the Europa League, Ridvan Yilmaz – a natural full-back – began on the left wing to neutralise Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson and protect attacking left-back Jefte behind. Crucial for the system to function is Mohamed Diomande. No Rangers player has made more appearances this season than the dynamic Ivorian, who can play as a no.10 or just in front of the back four, while the versatile Nedim Bajrami can play anywhere across the attacking midfield spots and is a European regular. Experienced centre-back duo Robin Propper and John Souttar have a sound understanding in central defence, with the latter proving especially adept at tackling opposition forwards in one-on-one situations. Talismanic keeper Jack Butland is back in training after hospitalisation for internal bleeding in his leg kept him out of the New Year Old Firm Derby, but Liam Kelly has deputised well.

ability to commit defenders has put him on the radar of several Premier League clubs.

Urged on by the Ibrox roar in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham in their last Europa League outing, Rangers’ frequent use of wide areas proved telling, with Igamane’s opener from James Tavernier’s centre one of many crosses that caused danger. “There’s a lot of potential in this squad,” Clement said after the Spurs game. “It’s about working with them and getting experiences for them like this evening.”

After so nearly beating Tottenham, Rangers’ second half of their Battle of Britain double-header can’t come soon enough.

Igamane puts Rangers ahead in their last European outing – a 1-1 draw with Spurs that kept Clement’s side in eighth place

FLYING FULL-BACK

Jefte

The £680,000 summer buy from Fluminense impressed in winning the Cypriot First Division on loan at APOEL last season and has continued his form at Ibrox despite an inauspicious red card on his home debut against Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League qualifying. A buccaneering left-back who’s fond of a dribble, with excellent close control, the 21-year-old Brazilian has been a near ever-present in 2024/25, laying on deft back-to-back assists against Kilmarnock and Ross County in early December.

MATURING MARKSMAN

Hamza Igamane

Two unremarkable Scottish Premiership starts and a handful of substitute appearances were the extent of Igamane’s maiden Rangers season, until Philippe Clement unexpectedly selected the Morocco U23 international from the off on matchday five in Nice. That late-November night on the French Riviera, the 22-year-old hit a calm brace, while also setting up Vaclav Cerny’s opener, to spark a deadly run of 12 goals in his next 14 games in all competitions, making him one of Europe’s hottest properties. Signed from Moroccan side AS FAR for just £1.7m in the summer, Igamane is a bustling striker with a deft touch and improving hold-up play that has yielded 2.41 goals and assists per 90 minutes in the Europa League this season – a better record than any other player. He has scored with 67 per cent of his shots at goal, another tournament high. “Hamza is maturing, he’s made big steps,” says Phillippe Clement, who accepts that transfer talk is inevitable. “There will be a moment that’s the right moment for him to leave. But it needs also to be the right moment for the club and he understands that.”

LEADER AT THE BACK

James Tavernier

Yes, being Rangers’ regular penalty taker helps a lot, but Tavernier’s status as the highest-scoring defender in British football history – 136 goals and counting – is nothing short of extraordinary. Though the 33-year-old former Newcastle, Wigan and Bristol City right-back’s minutes are increasingly managed as he approaches the autumn years of his career, the club captain’s leadership remains vital in what is his 10th season at Ibrox.

THE SQUAD GOALKEEPERS

DEFENDERS

MIDFIELDERS

FORWARDS

SIXTY CONTINENTAL CAMPAIGNS

Much like the Reds, Rangers can consider themselves trailblazers in Europe

Few sides have featured in as many European campaigns as Rangers’ 60 since their continental debut in the 1956/57 European Cup. The Gers became the first British side to reach a UEFA final in 1961, but not even ‘Slim’ Jim Baxter’s liquid hips were enough to overcome Fiorentina in the inaugural two-legged European Cup Winners’ Cup showpiece after Eric Caldow missed a penalty to equalise. Six years later, Rangers found themselves in another Cup Winners’ Cup final. After needing a coin toss to beat Real Zaragoza in the quarter-final – captain John Greig (left) correctly guessing tails to take his side through – Scot Symon’s side came up agonisingly short in extra-time to a Bayern Munich team that included future

classic picture

25 May 1972: A pipe band leads the Rangers players in a parade around Ibrox Park – in a colourfully decorated old coal truck! – as they show off the European Cup Winners’ Cup trophy to their ecstatic fans. The previous evening, the Gers had defeated Dynamo Moscow 3-2 in the Nou Camp final in Barcelona, but were denied a trophy presentation after their excited fans invaded the pitch and encountered baton-wielding police. Instead, the trophy was handed to Rangers captain John Greig in a backroom, with the skipper bringing it home in his luggage. This trophy success remains the high point of their European history and was wildly celebrated back at Ibrox.

World Cup winners Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier and Gerd Muller.

In 1972, inspired by the previous year’s Ibrox stadium disaster that claimed 66 lives, Greig and co laid their Cup Winners’ Cup final ghost to rest, despite losing on penalties to Sporting Club in the last eight. The aggregate score was 6-6 after extra-time, before opposition keeper Vitor Damas saved three spot-kicks to be carried shoulder-high from the pitch, only for Rangers manager Willie Waddell to point out to UEFA that his side had actually won on away goals, rendering the shoot-out redundant. In the final, Rangers survived a late Dynamo Moscow comeback to win 3-2 at the Nou Camp. The ‘Barcelona Bears’, as they became known, were unable to defend their title, though, after a UEFA ban for a pitch invasion before the final whistle (see below). Many believe the Spanish police’s reaction was very heavy-handed. Home-and-away defeats of Leeds United in the 1992/93 Champions League were another highlight, but it was 36 years before

they reached another continental final.

Unfortunately, a 68-game 2007/08 season eventually caught up with Walter Smith’s exhausted side, and not even an estimated 200,000 Gers fans descending on Manchester for the UEFA Cup final could prevent Zenit St Petersburg’s 2-0 win. There was more agony in the by-now rebranded UEFA Europa League in 2022. Giovanni van Bronckhorst led his side to victories over Germans Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, but couldn’t manage a third after Aaron Ramsey’s shoot-out miss (above) in Seville gave Eintracht Frankfurt the title. An unused sub that night? Our own Amad, who could face the club he served on loan tonight.

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A UNITED REVIEW TRIBUTE

Farewell to The King

INSIDE: Story of a goalscoring genius p26-29 / Career statistics p30-31

Tributes p32-33 / A life in pictures p34-35 / Law’s defining moments p36-39

THE LEGEND OF THE LAWMAN

A week on from his sad passing, UR pays heartfelt tribute to the bespectacled boy from Aberdeen who’d go on to lift the Ballon d’Or – a truly prolific goalscorer and character beyond compare...

When it comes to numbers, football’s bottom line, Denis Law’s digits outline an unbelievable goalscorer, but it is the character he brought to Old Trafford while racking up his record which colours his legend.

A United career tally of 237 goals topped only by Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton, both of whom played hundreds more games; United’s first and Scotland’s only Ballon d’Or winner; a two-time league champion, FA Cup winner and member of the first United squad to win the European Cup; nobody in club history has neared Law’s 18 hat-tricks – as many as Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and George Best combined.

The achievements beam bright even in black and white. As Scotland’s sportswriting titan, Hugh McIlvanney, put it: “If you had to send a man out to score a goal to save your life, there’s only one man you’d send out: the Lawman.”

The goals, however, are mere jewels in the crown of a man monikered the King of the Stretford End. All which gave him the razor’s edge in front of goal stemmed from the spirit he developed growing up in poverty in Woodside, Aberdeen. Afflicted by a squint so severe it

required glasses from infancy, the son of a trawlerman grew up with his six siblings in a family home with neither carpet nor central heating, taking ownership of his first pair of shoes at 14. “All we wanted to do was play football,” Denis recalled, either honing his skills with his older brothers or working alone on his standing jump by affixing a paper ball to his mother’s clothes rack and heading it, moving the ball higher and higher until he was capable of prodigious leaps.

His obsession soon translated into representing Aberdeen Lads Club and Aberdeen Schoolboys before stepping up to the Scotland Schoolboys squad. Local scout Archie Beattie sent word of Law’s talent to his brother, Andy, who was manager of Huddersfield Town and, in 1955, Denis left Scotland for the first time for a trial with the Terriers. Law recalled that his prospective manager’s first impression was far from impressed. “Never did I see a less likely football prospect,” Beattie allegedly reported back to his scout brother. “Weak, puny and bespectacled.”

Once Denis had been witnessed with a ball at his feet, however, mockery made way for marvel. A contract was soon forthcoming, as

was interest from higher-profile clubs. Law first came to United’s attention in 1957 when the Reds’ youth team took on their Huddersfield counterparts at Heckmondwike. “After 10 minutes it became obvious to myself and Matt Busby that we were virtually playing against a one-man team,” recounted assistant manager Jimmy Murphy. “This boy had that ‘indefinable something’ which you could call zest, or enthusiasm, or dynamism. His performance was such that Matt and I looked at one another in astonishment.”

Within weeks, United had formally offered £10,000 for the teenager, a bid rejected out of hand by the Terriers. During a brief interim spell as Scotland manager in early 1958, Busby handed Law his international debut at 18, but realistic hopes of pursuing a move were lost amid the aftermath of the Munich Air Disaster. By the time he did leave Huddersfield in 1960, Denis commanded a British-record fee of £55,000, paid by Manchester City and duly doubled 18 months later when he made the move to Torino in Italy.

A year later, though playing well enough to be selected for the Italian League XI for a friendly encounter with their Football League

counterparts – managed by Busby – Law took advantage of a post-match conversation with his countryman. “How do you like playing in Italy, Denis?” enquired the United manager. “I don’t like it,” came the reply. “Why don’t you come and buy me?”

Were it only that simple. “Even the memory makes me travel-weary,” recounted Busby, of the months-long saga which unfolded, incorporating postponed meetings with Torino officials in Amsterdam, Lausanne and Turin, two days awaiting a phone call in the lobby of a Majorca hotel and a lengthy stand-off between Law and his club over a proposed alternative sale to Juventus before, in July 1962, Torino sent a delegation to Manchester to negotiate a deal which would, at £115,000, once again break the British transfer record.

“One of my best and cheapest signings,” the manager nevertheless reflected, of a player blessed with “the quickest thinking I have ever seen on a football pitch,” while Murphy expanded: “Denis was a bargain because he gave us the lift we needed at the right time, and because his insatiable appetite for the game swept like wildfire through the club.” Crash survivor Sir Bobby Charlton echoed those sentiments, observing: “He invigorated United with his astonishingly competitive personality

“He invigorated us with his astonishingly competitive personality and wonderful talent. It was as though the magic and aura of the old United had been conjured up at a single stroke”

and wonderful talent. It was as though a lot of the magic and aura of the old United had been conjured up at a single stroke.”

Starting with a seventh-minute debut goal against West Brom and ending with United’s opener in the FA Cup final victory over Leicester, Law’s 1962/63 campaign ranks as high as any debut term in club history, his contribution going far beyond 29 goals in 44 appearances as the Reds’ post-Munich rebuilding took an enormous step forward.

‘Denis was more than a goalscorer,’ noted author Eamon Dunphy. ‘He was an inspiration, capable of lifting those around him, his cavalier thrusts at the opposition impudent and sowing doubt in defenders’ minds, a source of encouragement to his colleagues. In the box he was deadly, quick, brave, elusive, taking

– Sir Bobby Charlton

half-chances with the daring and sureness of a matador. No game was quiet, no cause lost, no crowd less than enthralled when Law was hungry for the game. He was fearless, wild, impetuous; a unique force in the English game. Law was the kind of player systems didn’t produce.

‘The great showman Law was extrovert at work – sardonic, amused, intelligent and alone once the job was done. In Law, Busby saw the defiant spirit of his great lost team, the bit of devil, the grace, the brio which was to Matt professional football’s ultimate vindication: the merchants and politicians could have the world, he lived for this beautiful, unsullied expression of life.’

Visitors to Old Trafford’s forecourt will note Law’s pose in the United Trinity statue: arm aloft in celebration – he was the first British player to salute the crowd after scoring. Seen as a

Being greeted by the Duke of Edinburgh ahead of the Reds’ 1963 FA Cup-final triumph over Leicester at Wembley – the high point of his first season with the club

purveyor of a heady blend of fun and rebellion, he was no respecter of convention. “Footballers should have a role model. I had it with Denis Law,” admitted Sir Alex Ferguson. “I looked at him and said: ‘That’s what I want to be.’”

Law’s second season at Old Trafford remains untouched by time. His haul of 46 goals in 42 games in 1963/64 prompted recognition as United’s first Ballon d’Or winner. Alongside Charlton and the emerging George Best, the trio spearheaded a United side heading back to the top of the game apace, winning the First Division title in 1964/65 and 1966/67, adding the 1967/68 European Cup even though a persistent knee injury decimated the Lawman’s contribution to the latter. Denis had to watch United’s extra-time win over Benfica from his hospital bed after cartilage surgery, celebrating with friends and wiping away tears as Busby finally lifted his most coveted prize.

Law remained a firm favourite of supporters even through the club’s post-Wembley slide, recognising his incessant competitive streak despite ongoing injury concerns. There was no dimming of his flame. Going up against Denis was never light work. “I found him the very devil to mark,” recounted former Fulham and England defender Sir Bobby Robson, while Arsenal’s Ian Ure found himself in a match-long running battle with Law which ended with both players battered, bruised and red-carded after

kicking lumps out of one another, despite being international team-mates. Never one to turn the other cheek, Denis picked up three red cards during his United career for skirmishes, telling his manager: “If someone kicks me, I can’t promise I won’t have a go at him.” “His critics in this regard would not be so critical if they had seen his legs after many a game,” stressed Busby. “I have seen them virtually slashed to ribbons, with blood and cuts all over the place. How much can any man stand?”

Those battle scars and moxie were tangible reminders of what so endeared Denis to United supporters. Be it playing through the pain barrier or taking 90-minute kickings from opponents, he underpinned his singular talent by giving everything for over a decade in the Reds’ colours, nailing those same colours to the mast in the final match of his club career. As fate decreed, it came at Old Trafford in 1974 as he netted the only goal of Manchester City’s visit. Back with the Blues for a second stint after leaving United at the end of the previous season, Law scored but declined to celebrate, later confirming: “I was totally depressed, wishing the ball had gone wide.” Even though United ended the afternoon relegated to the Second Division with thousands of supporters swarming the Old Trafford pitch, Law found himself intact. “Had there been any animosity towards me, I would surely have found out then,” he mused.

The Lawman’s legend was bulletproof, his legacy made flesh by the 2002 unveiling of a statue within the Stretford End, and then as part of the United Trinity outside the East Stand six years later. In retirement, he spent years representing the club at official engagements as an ambassador, enrapturing anyone with whom he came into contact. As fellow Trinity member Best put it so succinctly: “You can’t be miserable in his company.”

Known for a sense of humour as razor-sharp as his finishing, Denis was never without a glint of mischief in his eyes; always on the lookout for japes as he sought to wring the most from every moment. Even after his diagnosis with dementia in 2022, he would often feign forgetfulness before ribbing his victims, lightening a dark situation. That boyish twinkle illuminated the lives he touched. “If you were picking your best Manchester United team or your best Scottish team, he would always be in it,” said Bryan Robson, “but what I really admired more than anything was how funny he was and what a great person Denis was.”

For all his on-field pluck and bravado, Law left all showmanship on the pitch, eschewing fame in favour of family, always first off the pitch and out of the bath. His family home contained no shred of evidence of his football career on display. Modest and mindful, Denis found comfort in closeness, a hands-on parent, grandparent and friend. As his daughter Diana noted: “Dad may be known as the King of the Stretford End among fans, but he’s a reluctant king.”

By turns a family man, mischief-maker and firebrand genius, Denis Law was so much to so many and unforgettable to all. He may have adorned United’s history with some of the greatest numbers ever seen but, moreover, the Lawman forever festooned our club with colour of an inimitable hue. ●

From his modest Aberdeen roots, Law’s brilliance with the ball forged a legendary goalscoring reputation, one felt most keenly by the eternally grateful Reds

Reuniting with his Trinity team-mates to mark the continuance of the Reds’ trophy-winning ways

DENIS LAW ALL THE STATISTICS

The numbers that tell the story of a career where goals were a guarantee...

united games

united goals

Debut: United 2 West Bromwich Albion 2 18 August 1962, Old Trafford, Division One (scored one)

100th match: United 6 Djurgardens 1 27 October 1964, Old Trafford, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (scored three)

Final match: United 1 Norwich 0 7 April 1973, Old Trafford, Division One

1962/63

CLUB HONOURS

RECORD-BREAKING SEASON GAME-BY-GAME

1963/64: 46 goals from 42 games (all competitions) – still a club record...

BY COMPETITION

( appearances/ goals ):

INDIVIDUAL HONOURS

Ballon d’Or winner 1964

18 Hat-tricks 14 Penalties scored (Four goals x4 times, three goals x14 times)

Teams he scored against most:

15 goals v Tottenham (from 19 games)

13 goals v Leicester (from 13 games)

11 goals v West Brom (from 13 games)

Teams he played against most:

21 games v Everton

19 games v Tottenham

19 games v West Ham

SCOTLAND

55 caps / 30 goals

British Championship winner : 1960 (shared), 1962, 1963, 1964 (shared), 1967, 1972 (shared)

Everton (a) CS, L0-4

Sheffield Wed (a) Div1, D3-3

Ipswich Town (h) Div1, W2-0

Everton (h) Div1, W5-1

Ipswich Town (a) Div1, W7-2

Birmingham (a) Div1, D1-1

Blackpool (h) Div1, W3-0

Arsenal (a) Div1, L1-2

Willem II (a) ECWC, D1-1

Willem II (h) ECWC, W6-1

Nott’m Forest (a) Div1, W2-1

West Ham (h) Div1, L0-1

Blackburn (h) Div1, D2-2

Wolves (a) Div1, L0-2

Tottenham (h) Div1, W4-1

Aston Villa (a) Div1, L0-4

Liverpool (h) Div1, L0-1

Sheff United (a) Div1, W2-1

Tottenham (a) ECWC, L0-2

Stoke City (h) Div1, W5-2

Birmingham (h) Div1, L1-2

West Brom (a) Div1, W4-1

Bristol Rovers (h) FAC, W4-1

Arsenal (h) Div1, W3-1

Leicester (a) Div1, L2-3

Barnsley (a) FAC, W4-0

Bolton (h) Div1, W5-0

Blackburn (a) Div1, W3-1

Sporting (h) ECWC, W4-1

Sunderland (h) FAC, D3-3

Sunderland (a) FAC, D2-2

Sunderland (n) FAC, W5-1

West Ham (n) FAC, L1-3

Sporting (a) ECWC, L0-5

Tottenham (a) Div1, W3-2

Chelsea (h) Div1, D1-1

Fulham (a) Div1, D2-2

Fulham (h) Div1, W3-0

Liverpool (a) Div1, L0-3

Aston Villa (h) Div1, W1-0

Sheff United (h) Div1, W2-1

Nott’m Forest (h) Div1, W3-1

[Div1 – Division 1; FAC – FA Cup, ECWC –European Cup Winners’ Cup; CS – Charity Shield]

On target at Ipswich in September 1963

TRIBUTES TO THE KING

The Lawman’s passing provoked waves of praise from members of the Manchester United family who knew him well, as well as some of football writing’s leading lights…

“As an eight-year-old in Manchester in 1968, we had plenty of options when it came to footballing idols. For so many of us, there was only one legitimate choice when it came to picking a favourite: The Lawman. The way he pulled his shirt out of his shorts, gathered the cuffs around his fists, pointed his right forefinger to the sky in celebration of a goal, that was how you did it. His was a fashion copied in every playground in Manchester.”

–

Jim White, The Guardian

“Denis presented me with the no.10 shirt. That was a huge honour for me to have one of the club legends present me with that shirt. When you join this football club you do a lot of learning about the history and Denis was certainly one of the main players.”

– Wayne Rooney

“Not only was he a great player, but a great character. Denis had everything to offer. His ability on the pitch was brilliant, but off the pitch he was equally as good. He was kind. He wanted you to do well. He encouraged you. Everybody that played with Denis, we owe him a lot because he was brilliant.”

– Lou Macari

“His statues illustrate the love that not only the club but, more importantly, the fans had for Denis. He was one of the best in the world and a huge part of a fantastic period for Manchester United.”

– Mark Hughes

“Denis looked after me when I got in the team. If anybody was kicking me, Denis would be the one that would give him a reducer. He was tough. He was only slight, but he wouldn’t take a step back.”

– Brian Kidd

“Why did they call him the King? There’s George Best, a fantastic player, and Bobby Charlton, the greatest English player of all time, but they called Denis ‘the King’. I think it’s something to do with the determination and the will to win that he sho every time he went on that football field. He was a really competitive human being and no matter which game, that was always there. I think it was a natural thing for the supporters to associate him as their King.”

– Sir Alex Ferguson

“An incredible man who should be celebrated. Growing up in Aberdeen as I did, you grew up with the legend of Denis Law: he was a kid from a very poor family, left the city a squinting, skinny guy on a train to Huddersfield and from there became one of the greatest footballers in the world. It was a life that was like something out of a film.”

– Jonathan Northcroft, Sunday Times

“No-one could represent what Manchester United stood for better than him. Full of flair on the pitch and a gentleman off it.”

– Bryan Robson

“I used to go round for coffee. Time just passed by talking about life, his career and football. It was just lovely. He was the most humble person you could ever meet for someone who has a statue outside Old Trafford. And he had the biggest heart. I could get some things off my chest. It was very helpful and it was ever so special.”

– Ruud van Nistelrooy

Fans pay their respects by the United Trinity statue at the weekend, following the announcement of Denis’s death, aged 84

SNAPSHOTS OF A HERO

Law was a remarkable individual – a family man, a proud Scotsman, and a figure adored by millions. Here’s a collection of images capturing the many facets of his extraordinary life…

Game recognises game – our 1964 Ballon d’Or winner congratulates his successor Eusebio ahead of United meeting Benfica in Lisbon, in March 1966

Denis lines up with the Rest of the World team ahead the Football Association’s Centenary match against England at Wembley in 1963

Law firm: family was always hugely important to Denis, as was his national pride!

Denis commiserates with Rangers boss Walter Smith at the end of the 2008 UEFA Cup final in Manchester

A fond farewell: The King surveys his kingdom one last time, in May 1992, ahead of the old Stretford End

being

by an all-seater stand

“Fantastic”, says the Reds legend after receiving a CBE at Buckingham Palace in 2016

Law and singer Rod Stewart fly the flag for Scotland in March 1974

Denis poses with a new statue in his honour in Marischal Square, Aberdeen in November 2021

A familiar scene as the Trinity come together in goal celebration

terrace

replaced

Denis and Sir Bobby Charlton exchange shirts after a 2-2 Wembley draw between England and Scotland in April 1965

Denis and Sir Bobby present Ronaldo with his Ballon d’Or in 2008

MOMENTS THAT MADE THE MAN

For

many that watched the Reds play during the 1960s – a decade of immense success for the club – Denis was the United icon. Here we chart 10 landmarks along his path to global superstardom…

● OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Denis Law’s football enthusiasm was never in doubt, but his physical eligibility for the professional game very much was. From an early age, the youngster from Woodside, Aberdeen, had problems with his eyesight, while his body was small and wiry. But luck was on his side. In 1954, he was spotted by Archie Beattie, a scout from Aberdeenshire, whose brother Andy was managing at top-flight Huddersfield Town. Denis signed, underwent an operation to correct his eye, and when Beattie was dismissed shortly after Huddersfield were relegated, incoming manager Bill Shankly was instantly overawed at the boy’s talent. Shankly made Law Huddersfield’s youngest-ever first-team player at 16 and, by 18, Denis had represented Scotland too. “All of the cunning tricks that would cause trouble, Law knew them,” Shankly later marvelled. “He knew them when he was a boy.” Over the course of the next four seasons, the teenage tyro would make 91 appearances for the West Yorkshire club, scoring 19 goals as he bustled his way past experienced Second Division defenders on a weekly basis.

Enjoying his professional breakthrough with Huddersfield Town while still a teenager

● A RECORD TRANSFER

Shankly was not the only leading manager to form something of an obsession with Law’s special, unusual abilities: Matt Busby had offered Huddersfield £10,000 for Denis after spotting him in a youth-team game during the mid-’50s. ’United’s legendary manager finally managed to coerce Law to Old Trafford in 1962, for a mammoth £115,000. Denis had already been to Manchester City and Torino by then, commanding record British fees each time.

Despite performing solidly in Italy, Denis endured a fractious time in Turin, painfully summed up by the car crash he suffered along with British team-mate Joe Baker. Thankfully, both survived, and when Law joined the Reds in the summer of 1962, it took just seven minutes for him to find the net, in a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. That November, he blasted four against Ipswich Town. Even though United only narrowly avoided relegation that year, Law finished with a creditable 23 league goals – and Old Trafford had a new hero.

● THE REDEMPTION CUP

United’s triumph in the 1963 FA Cup final was a massive moment in the club’s history. The first major trophy claimed since the devastating 1958 Munich Air Disaster, it pointed to a brighter future and gave a United side that was struggling in the league something to cling to. David Herd scored twice in the 3-1 victory over Leicester City, but it was Law who opened the scoring and wowed the huge Wembley crowd throughout. ‘From the moment Law put us ahead after about half an hour, I enjoyed myself enormously,’ wrote team-mate Bill Foulkes some years later. ‘The goal was a masterpiece... Denis controlled it with one assured touch, then swivelled on the spot to strike a deadly low cross-shot past [Gordon] Banks. After that, Man-of-the-Match Law was uncontrollable, wriggling past Leicester defenders seemingly at will, and it was amazing that he didn’t score several more times.’

● KING OF EUROPE

If the 1962/63 season made Denis a United hero, the following campaign would unequivocally establish him as one of world football’s truly great players. For 1963/64 was the season in which he battered 46 goals in just 42 appearances across all competitions – a club record that even Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007/08 heroics (42) could not eclipse. And Law missed a month due to injury! The year 1964 also brought two further landmarks. In January came the first flourish from what would become known as ‘the United Trinity’, when Best, Law and Charlton started the same game together for the first time. Surprise, surprise, all three found the net (Law twice) in a 4-1 cruise against West Brom. Then, in December, Denis became the first Manchester United player to claim the Ballon d’Or prize (then known as European Footballer of the Year).

Law collects the esteemed European Player of the Year award in front of the fans at Old Trafford in 1964

Busby beams at finally signing his highly prized fellow Scot in July 1962

Setting the Reds on the path to FA Cup glory with the opener in the 1963 final at Wembley

● LEADING US TO THE TOP

The emergence of Best, Law and Charlton –English football’s answer to pop music’s Fab Four, The Beatles – re-established United as the most attractive and appealing watch in the country. For the first time since 1958/59, Busby’s Reds topped the attendance charts and, come May, they were also in the running for the title, seven years on from Munich. Law’s 28 league goals – including two in the 3-1 win over Arsenal that confirmed the title – spearheaded the glory charge, as Busby’s side finished ahead of Leeds United on goal average. Law’s goals, creativity and competitive instincts were not his only contributions, either. With club captain Noel Cantwell sidelined for much of the season with injury, Law captained United throughout and lifted the trophy. “Law? He was a paragon, both a sensational individual and a superb team man,” said Foulkes.

● TARTAN REVENGE

If United and Law had soared into the stratosphere in 1965, the following year was a relative disappointment. The Reds finished fourth in the league, and exited both the FA Cup and the European Cup at the semi-final stages. Worse was still to come for Denis when the ‘Auld Enemy’, England, won the World Cup. He later referred to this event as “the blackest day of my life”! Law and his compatriots were able to claw some pride back in 1967 though, when they beat the world champions 3-2 at Wembley, with Denis netting the first. A proud Scot, Law always declaimed his international achievements as the absolute zenith of his career. After making his debut at 18, he scored 30 times in 55 appearances for his country, and played in the 1974 World Cup just weeks before retiring. He remains his country’s joint top-scorer of all time. “I don’t care about winning the league or whatever,” he once stated, passionately. “Playing for your country is the greatest thing ever.”

● CHAMPIONS AGAIN

United’s fifth and final title under Busby was won in 1967, with Denis once more lifting the trophy as captain. He accounted for 23 of United’s 84 league goals, and scored twice on the pivotal day, when the Reds thrashed West Ham 6-1 at the Boleyn Ground as runners-up Nottingham Forest faltered at Southampton. Law had also scored a crucial 85th-minute winner against Forest – managed by United legend Johnny Carey – at Old Trafford in February, with a spectacular flying volley.

‘There was a period around the mid-sixties when Denis was free from injury, and then we saw the full scale of his brilliance,’ wrote Sir Bobby Charlton in My Manchester United Years ‘He was an awesome sight as he went into the dangerous places, daring a centre-half or a goalkeeper to blink. He got up to incredible heights and when he did so the defenders knew they couldn’t afford half a mistake. The semblance of a slip was all he needed. The ball would be in the back of the net and his arm would be shooting skywards.’

Helping United reclaim the Division One crown with a two-goal performance and title-sealing 6-1 win over hosts West Ham in May 1967

An overzealous fan embraces the pride of Scotland after the United star helps overcome reigning world champions England 3-2 at Wembley

The league championship trophy returns to Old Trafford as our free-scoring Scot collects our prize for season 1964/65

● A PERSONAL TRAGEDY

United’s 4-1 victory over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final was a joyous, cathartic moment for Matt Busby, Jimmy Murphy and Munich survivors Bill Foulkes and Bobby Charlton. Not to mention millions of United fans. But for Law, it was a heartbreaking, bittersweet experience. The Scot was troubled throughout the 1967/68 season with injury, making just 28 appearances in total. Though he did start the semi-final first leg against Real Madrid at Old Trafford (as captain), having received an injection to his knee, a league game against West Brom five days later was his final appearance that season. As Best and Charlton powered Busby’s men to glory, Law was in his jammies at St Joseph’s Hospital in Whalley Range, with photographers poised to capture his reaction to the result.

● THE HAT-TRICK HERO

Law remains United’s all-time leading purveyor of hat-tricks, thanks to a remarkable total of 18. Since the Lawman’s departure, no other Red has come anywhere near that total – not even Wayne Rooney (8) or Ruud van Nistelrooy (6). Jack Rowley (12) and Dennis Viollet (9) are closest in our history. But, let’s be frank, they’re not that close. Perhaps our European Cup first-round tie with Waterford in the autumn of 1968 best summed up Law’s rapacious hunger in front of goal. He plundered seven across the two legs – three in Dublin and four back at Old Trafford – in a season that birthed a total of four hat-tricks! His 18th and final three-goal salvo came in April 1971 at Crystal Palace, and you have to wonder if Law’s tally for the club will ever be broken.

● A SAD PARTING

Denis’s time at United came to a swift conclusion in 1973, when manager Tommy Docherty informed the striker he could leave on a free transfer. Because his wife, Diana, was pregnant at the time, he subsequently accepted the chance to remain in Manchester offered by his former club City. United scored just 38 goals that league season, and were relegated come May. Agonisingly, Law scored the winner for City at Old Trafford in United’s penultimate game of the season. It became known as the goal that sent us down, though that wasn’t true: results elsewhere meant relegation was unavoidable.

‘The King of the Stretford End’ refused to celebrate his goal and later revealed he harboured no desire to win the game. “I had not a clue where the goal was,” he remembered. “I backheeled it; it was a complete fluke... it was awful.” After playing in that summer’s World Cup, Law made just two further competitive appearances before announcing his retirement. But his clear distress at United’s plight only further endeared him to the Stretford Enders who adored him, and that’s where his reputation has remained ever since. To those who frequent Old Trafford, he remains an eternal hero. ●

Taking no delight in defeating the relegated Reds as City’s match-winner in April 1974, Law still commands the love and respect of the United fans as they make their way on to the pitch

Joining Bill Foulkes and Nobby Stiles in European Cup action against Waterford in September 1968 – one of 18 occasions the Scot scored three goals or more

Cheering his team-mates on to European glory from his hospital bed in May 1968

“Running out to play in front of these fans was terrific. lt was like a shot of adrenalin when you heard the Stretford End roar, and I was honoured and flattered when they adopted me as their king” – DENIS LAW

Impact Season 2023/24

1,685 signed and charitable items distributed

500k+ attendances at free-of-charge sessions 40% female participation

£608,317

raised by season ticket holders and online fan donations

117 young people engaged projects

42,178

mufoundation.org/ourimpact

Story behind the shot

At an emotional Old Trafford on Sunday, club snapper Ash Donelon (above) captures a unifying moment between United managers from different eras…

PAST AND PRESENT

Image taken: Old Trafford, Sunday 19 January 2025.

Ash says: “The build-up to Sunday’s match was understandably emotional given the recent passing of the legendary Denis Law. After everyone in the stadium had applauded in tribute to ‘The King of the Stretford End’, I made my way to the halfway line just as Sir Alex Ferguson was walking off the pitch after laying a wreath in the centre circle. He saw Ruben Amorim on the touchline and amid the ongoing applause, the two men stood and chatted and I captured the moment. The crowd noise was too loud to overhear what they said to one another, but their expressions tell the story, and I felt honoured to document this meeting of two different generations of United managers in front of the Old Trafford dugout.”

WE ALL FOLLOW UNITED!

biggest warm-up yet!

Mark Hughes and Clayton Blackmore the star attractions at our ever-popular supporters’ night...

A record 370 fans attended the first Warm-Up event of 2025 at Old Trafford on Saturday night, ahead of our Premier League fixture with Brighton.

United supporters from all over the world were in attendance to hear Mark Hughes and Clayton Blackmore take part in an entertaining Q&A, before a meet-and-greet with the Reds present.

There was an exclusive night-time viewing of the stadium, hosted by Museum staff, plus the opportunity to take photos with both the men’s and women’s FA Cups won at the end of last season.

A cloak of poignancy hung over the evening however, given the event started less than 24 hours after the announcement of Denis Law’s passing. Many older Reds in the room had watched The Lawman play; everyone knew of his stature within the club’s history. A book of condolence was laid open for fans to write in, and a minute’s applause was also held to celebrate Denis’s amazing life and career.

The night climaxed with live music from Jay Dunn and the always enjoyable Manchester United Foundation auction

Former United team-mates Hughes and Blackmore reunite for the most recent Warm-Up event at Old Trafford where fans from supporters’ clubs enjoyed a night of entertainment and fundraising

and raffle, introduced by John Shiels MBE. A total of £4,715 was raised – one of the top prizes was a pitch-side presentation with club legend Denis Irwin before kick-off the following afternoon.

The Warm-Up events are a great opportunity for supporters’ clubs and fans from across the globe to connect with the wider United

family in person. Beyond that, there’s always an excellent cast of club legends and a wealth of competitions and giveaways.

If you are interested in attending the next date – scheduled for the weekend of our home game against Arsenal in March – contact your local supporters’ club for more information.

MESSAGES for matchday

We hope Riley Talbot-Fielding, pictured here with his dad and fellow season ticket holder Chris, had a very happy 18th birthday on 12 January. EMAIL US : UNITED.FAMILY @ MANUTD.CO.UK

Wishing a happy 13th birthday to Marley Edwards. ‘U-n-i-t-e-d, United are the team for me! Love you loads, Dad.’

Happy birthday to long-time United supporter Robert Brady, who turns 33 on 28 January and is pictured here in 2003.

Abbie and Ryan Ross-Wright have travelled down from Scotland with Mum and Dad for tonight’s game. Their favourite players are Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

Happy 21st birthday to Chip for 25 January – he’s a J-Stand regular loved by everyone!

Happy 4th birthday to Louie, a Junior Red who is developing a passion for winning trophies.

Happy 21st to Alex O Brien, who is here tonight with his girlfriend, Jessica. Love from Mam and Dad, Robyn, Sophie and Alex’s daughter, Araya.

Wishing a happy 13th birthday to Taylor Priestley-Fullard

Wishing a happy 10th birthday to season ticket holder Max Thorpe for 22 January. Hope you had a brilliant time and enjoy tonight’s match at Old Trafford.

a happy

Happy 12th birthday to Daniel McGinnity from Ireland. With love from

Happy 11th birthday to Alex Williams. Alex is United mad and loves coming to Old Trafford to see the mighty Reds. Hope you have the best day ever.

Wishing

belated birthday to Katie Booth, from Ash.

Mollie and Anna.

A very happy 12th birthday to Lilly Preece-Gregory for 24 January. Have a great time at Old Trafford tonight.

To Ted: happy 10th birthday. Love from Dad, Mum and Finn.

Happy birthday to Jack Wilson, who turned 17 on 16 January. He’s a devoted Red and wore his Garnacho shirt for a trek to Everest base camp in October. He and his friend Cole were proud to fly the United flag at 5,364m! Love, Mum, Dad & Maia.

seventh birthday

very

A belated happy 16th birthday, Ophelia Pitchfork. Lots of love from Mum, Dad and Simba, and from all of you friends and family.

Bradley, nine, and Jude, four, from Wales, were both excited to be at their first Old Trafford game recently, against Brighton.

Happy 10th birthday to Layla Yale, who’s here for every home game in the Stretford End and loves nothing more than being at Old Trafford. Here she is with her little sisters at a Christmas stay in Hotel Football. Lots of love, Mum, Craig, Poppy and Olivia.

Welcome to Stephen, here with wife Anisha all the way from the USA to celebrate his 50th birthday. Many happy returns and enjoy your visit.

SHOUT-OUTS!

A very happy 22nd birthday for 10 January to Dylan Jackson, from Galway in Ireland. Have a great time at the match tonight.

Happy birthday, George Hunt! We hope you have the best day. Love, Georgia and the girls.

Wishing a happy birthday to both Booboo and Muhammad Bux

Wishing a happy 62nd birthday to Gary Worthington. With love from the family.

Happy sixth birthday to Muhammad Amaan, who is here tonight with his brother and fellow United fanatic, Muhammad Rahees, and their grandad.

Happy belated 70th birthday, Billy Colvin.

Many happy returns to James Chapman, who is celebrating his 13th birthday today.

Welcome to Old Trafford, Ryan Scott. Hope you enjoy your first United game. Love from Dad.

Happy 21st birthday, Jamesy. Love Mum, Deke and Katylee.

To Ben Brady: happy 13th birthday, Son. Love, Mum.

Happy 40th birthday, Wayne Lewis! Love Natalie.

Happy

to United’s no.1 fan, Jamie Rough.

Happy birthday, Matthew. Love from Mum, Dad and Olivia.

A

happy 10th birthday to Trafford. Love from Mum.

Happy 10th birthday, Coby-James!

Love Mummy and Eric.

Many happy returns to Kenzie McCully and have a very happy 18th birthday.

Happy 16th birthday to Libby Wallwork, and we hope you enjoyed your surprise trip to the Southampton game.

We hope Tommy Tyrrell Tubbritt enjoyed his visit from Ireland for the Southampton game.

Happy birthday, Dad. Love from Boydie.

Happy 40th birthday to Uncle James, a lifelong Red. Thank you for taking us along to games. Love Ted and Bea.

Happy birthday to Georgie Thomasson for 14 January. Hope you had a great time celebrating.

Happy birthday to Martyn Kay ahead of turning 60 tomorrow.

Wising a very happy 15th birthday to Luke Lightfoot. Love Mum, Dad and Jake.

Here’s hoping Ollie Byrne, aged nine, from Ireland, had a brilliant visit to Old Trafford for his first game, against Southampton.

‘A lifelong dream fulfilled at the Theatre of Dreams together with my son, Leonidas. Here’s to a win for United and memories that last forever. I love you, from Dad.’

Wishing you a very happy birthday, Maya Dehil, and we hope you had fun at the Brighton game.

Shout-out to Sean Shea, who came over from Ireland for the Brighton game, his first-ever United match. Hope you enjoyed your trip.

Happy birthday, Daniel Sawojka. Hope you had a great weekend. Love Melissa.

A very happy ninth birthday to you, Freddie Lomax! Have a fantastic time at the game tonight, and congratulations on your Man of the Match award.

We hope Ebrahim and his fellow members of MUSC Pune enjoyed their inaugural visit to Old Trafford for United v Southampton, with 25 Reds making the trip from India.

Happy birthday to Raphael, who turned 10 on 8 January. He’s been coming to Old Trafford since he was two and his favourite player is Bruno Fernandes.

Big hello to Nathan, Michael, James and Sé, who are here from Ireland for the game tonight.

ninth birthday, Dominic. With love

The Irish are here in force tonight, with Fintan and Graham Farrell joining us from County Wexford to help cheer on the Reds!

Happy 24th birthday to Connor Moore, pictured here with girlfriend Molly, for 16 January. He was at United v Southampton that same night to celebrate, having travelled over from Scunthorpe as he does for every home game.

Pearse, eight, and Conor McLaughlin, seven, pictured here with Altay Bayinder’s gloves from last season’s home game against Newcastle, were at United v Brighton with their family for their third and second games at Old Trafford respectively.

Zyah Champkins is hoping to see his idols, Amad and Bruno Fernandes, in action tonight, and here as a belated birthday present. Many happy returns!

Happy eighth birthday, Aadam Ali. Hope you have a great day. Love Mummy and Daddy.

Happy

from Dad and Mum.

Happy 17th birthday, Alarna Anderson! Wishing you an amazing day with joy and a big United win! Love from your family.

Happy 22nd birthday, Matt Congratulations on making it into the Elite 8 for Division 1 Men’s College Soccer. Go UMass Soccer!

Happy birthday to Thomas Mitchell, from Northern Ireland, who turned 25 on 12 January.

Happy 14th birthday to Lucas Rogers for 22 January. Hope you enjoy this special present and that it’s a great match! Love, Mum, Dad, Sophie and all our family.

To Maisy-Robyn Cotterill: happy 11th birthday, Bugs. Now let’s watch another win at the Theatre.

Happy seventh birthday to twins Fateh and Nivas. Hope you enjoyed celebrating your special day at Old Trafford.

IN MEMORIAM

Lewis Henson Roberts (16.10.1997 – 02.01.2025) tragically passed away earlier this month at the age of 27. Pictured here with David May, he was one of the best United fans you could meet, a truly passionate supporter who followed the Reds through thick and thin. He was a very good guy with a top sense of humour, a great personality, a very good attitude and a great knowledge of his beloved team. Simply, he was a great friend.

Marion Scallan, aka ‘Mal’, was a huge Red and even had ‘Glory, glory Man United’ as the last song at her funeral. She passed away peacefully at Leighton Hospital with her loving family beside her on 15 December 2024, aged 72. Marion was a loving mum to Tracy, Lee and Richard, a treasured nan to Josh, Demi, Jacob and Riley, a cherished great nan to Jaxon, and a loving mother-in-law to Mark and Kirsty, as well as a much-loved sister, and friend to many.

Happy 11th birthday to Samuel Kershaw for 22 January, and hope you enjoyed coming to Old Trafford to mark the occasion!

Reece and Tony are two big United fans watching here tonight as a Christmas gift. Have a lovely time at the game. Love from Jan.

In loving memory of Paul Kilmartin, who passed away on 6 January. ‘Rest in peace, Dad. We love you forever. We know how much this would mean to you, as you loved the Reds. You’d be glad to know we won the Arsenal game. We will miss you forever for the rest of our lives. Once a Red, always a Red. Love Cadie, Mason and all of us who loved you. Take me home, United road, to the place I belong...’

Paul Smith sadly passed away on Christmas Eve, aged 66. A lifelong fan, Paul stood on the Stretford End in his teenage years and enjoyed watching the Reds over several generations, taking greatest pleasure in seeing George Best, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford. Pictured here with his son, also named Paul, the father-and-son duo were ever-present in M16 from 2004 to 2019 as season ticket holders. Celebrating his life and love of United, Paul and his mum, Lorraine, join us at Old Trafford this evening, knowing Paul will continue to look over his beloved Reds from above.

FRED THE RED

BRITISH BATTLES

Can you find four British clubs that we’ve previously faced in European competition below, and sort them from the four wrong answers?

FRED’S RED PUZZLES

Our mascot is here to test your knowledge! Answers at the bottom of each page...

APPEARANCE ANAGRAMS

Unscramble the letters to find the six members of the current squad who’ve made the most Europa League appearances for the Reds…

SUCH RADAR FORMS NON FURRED BEANS WAKE LUSH HURRAY MIRAGE

Wrexham.

BATTLES: Celtic, Chelsea, Liverpool,

1. Marcus Rashford; 2. Bruno Fernandes; 3. Luke Shaw; 4. Harry Maguire; 5. Diogo Dalot; 6. Victor Lindelof.

GUESS THE RED

Who scored United’s last competitive goal against Rangers... Juan Mata or Wayne Rooney?

See how much you know about tonight’s opponents!

2

What is the name of Rangers’ home stadium... Ibrox or Pittodrie?

3 Who has previously been on loan at Rangers... Amad or Kobbie Mainoo?

4 What is the name of their derby with Celtic... The Iron Lock or the Old Firm?

5 Which English club have Rangers played in Europe this season... Chelsea or Tottenham?

RED: 1. Amad; 2. Diogo Dalot; 3. Tyrell Malacia. QUICK QUIZ: 1. Wayne Rooney; 2. Ibrox; 3. Amad; 4. Old Firm; 5. Tottenham

United player appearances p 55 / Season fixtures and results p 56-57

STATS AT THE BACK FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Our list of those to have played senior games for United and Rangers include two in the respective clubs’ current squads...

ALEX FORSYTH

United (1972-78), Rangers (1978-82)

ROY CARROLL

United (2001-05), Rangers (2007-08)

JIMMY NICHOLL

United (1974-82), Rangers (1983-84, 86-89)

BERG

United (1997-2000), Rangers (2003-04)

United (2003-08) Rangers (2006)

RAY WILKINS

United (1979-84), Rangers (1987-89)

GORAM Rangers (1991-98), United (2001)

DJORDJIC United (1999-2005), Rangers (2005)

United (1991-95), Rangers (1998-2002)

United (1999-2001), Rangers (2011-12)

TOM LAWRENCE

United (2005-09), Rangers (2006)

United (2013-14) Rangers (2022-)

United (2021-) Rangers (2022)

PHIL BARDSLEY

LEE MARTIN

ANDY

ANDREI KANCHELSKIS

AMAD

HENNING

BOJAN

DAVID HEALY

APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25 SEASON

Amad’s 12-minute hat-trick against Southampton a week ago was his first matchball-winning return for the Reds, with his treble being the first by a United player since Cristiano Ronaldo bagged three against Norwich in April 2022.

MANCHESTER UNITED EDITORIAL TEAM

UNITED CAREER STATISTICS

46(32)138(3) 2 7(3) 4 8(10) 3 0(1) 1 69(49)23

Daniel GORE 0(1) 000 0(1) 00000 0(2) 0 Tom HEATON 000020 0(1) 000 2(1) 0

Rasmus HOJLUND 37(10)125(1) 1 1(3) 0 9(3)10 00 52(17)23 Victor LINDELOF 160(23) 4 21(1) 0 15(2) 0 42(3) 010

Noussair Mazraoui is the only outfield player to have started all six of United’s UEFA Europa League fixtures this term – being joined on that figure by Andre Onana in goal – while Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez each have five starts and one substitute appearance to date.

Should he line up against Rangers tonight, skipper Bruno Fernandes will make his 50th appearance in European competition for the Reds. In the Champions League he’s amassed 19 apps/6 goals, with 30 apps/9 goals in the Europa League.

2024/25 FIXTURES

CS Sat 10Manchester City (N) 3pm 1-1 ↓

PL Fri 16Fulham (H) 8pm1-073,2974-2-3-1Onana

PL Sat 24Brighton & Hove Albion (A) 12.30pm 1-2

PL Sun 1Liverpool (H) 4pm 0-3

PL Sat 14Southampton (A) 12.30pm3-031,1444-2-3-1Onana

LC Tues 17Barnsley (H) (R3) 8pm 7-0

PL Sat 21Crystal Palace (A) 5.30pm0-025,1724-2-3-1Onana

UEL Wed 25Twente (H) 8pm 1-1 73,0694-2-3-1Onana

PL Sun 29Tottenham Hotspur (H) 4.30pm 0-3 73,587 4-2-3-1Onana

UEL Thu 3Porto (A) 8pm 3-3 49,2114-2-3-1Onana

Thu 12Viktoria Plzen (A) 5.45pm 2-1 11,3203-4-2-1Onana

(A) 4.30pm 2-1

LC Thu 19Tottenham Hotspur (A) (QF) 8pm3-457,4093-4-3

PL Sun 22Bournemouth (H) 2pm 0-3 73,7203-4-2-1Onana

PL Thu 26 Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) 5.30pm 0-2 31,4073-4-2-1Onana

PL Sun 5Liverpool (A) 4.30pm 2-2 60,2753-4-2-1Onana

FA Sun 12Arsenal (A) (R3) 3pm 1-1 ↑ 60,1093-4-2-1Bayindir

Thu 16Southampton (H) 8pm 3-1 73,7223-4-2-1Onana

PL Sun 19Brighton & Hove Albion (H) 2pm 1-3

UEL Thu 23Rangers (H) 8pm

PL Sun 26Fulham (A) 7pm

UEL Thu 30FCSB (A) 8pm FEBRUARY

PL Sun 2Crystal Palace (H) 2pm

FA Fri 7Leicester City (H) (R4) 8pm

UEL Thu 13 Play-offs, 1st leg

PL Sun 16Tottenham Hotspur (A) 4.30pm

UEL Thu 20 Play-offs, 2nd leg

PL Sat 22Everton (A) 12.30pm

PL Wed 26 Ipswich Town (H) 7.30pm

FA 28-3 Mar Fifth round

MARCH

UEL Thu 6 Round of 16, 1st leg

PL Sat 8Arsenal (H) 3pm

UEL Thu 13 Round of 16, 2nd leg

PL Sat 15Leicester City (A) 3pm

FA 28-31 Quarter-finals

APRIL

PL Tue 1Nottingham Forest (A) 7.45pm

PL Sat 5Manchester City (H) 3pm

UEL Thu 10 Quarter-finals, 1st leg

PL Sat 12Newcastle United (A) 3pm

UEL Thu 17 Quarter-finals, 2nd leg

PL Sat 19 Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) 3pm

PL Sat 26Bournemouth (A) 3pm

FA 26/27 Semi-finals

MAY

UEL Thu 1 Semi-finals, 1st leg

PL Sat 3Brentford (A) 3pm

UEL Thu 8 Semi-finals, 2nd leg

PL Sat 10West Ham United (H) 3pm

FA Sat 17 Final (N)

PL Sun 18Chelsea (A) 3pm

UEL Wed 2 1 Final (N)

PL Sun 25 Aston Villa (H) 4pm

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police have very detailed emergency procedures and contingency plans in place to deal with any emergency scenario which might arise at the stadium. Part of these procedures can involve evacuation plans should such an eventuality be required. We strongly advise that should any unforeseen emergency incident develop then please remain in your position and listen carefully to any public address announcements or directions from the attendant stewards. Loudspeakers are located in the stands, concourse areas, hospitality areas, toilets and outside the stadium. Depending on the nature of the incident, whole stands, part stands or even the entire stadium may be evacuated. There is also an option to evacuate spectators on to the pitch. Our public address system operates on a stadium zone-by-zone basis. It may be that certain zones are affected by an incident but not others. In such an event our main attention will be focused on the zone concerned. If you hear an announcement in an area other than your own, you should ignore it and respond only to messages directed towards your section or by stewards. All spectators are asked to respond calmly and as quickly as possible to emergency directions.

MATCHDAY TEXT SERVICE

Help tackle discriminatory or offensive behaviour inside Old Trafford by texting HELP to 84222* followed by the STAND, ROW and SEAT of the offender and then the nature of the problem. Allow us to do the rest. *Texts are charged at the standard network rate.

A-Z quiz

Roll up, roll up, Reds – it’s time to cross off ‘R’ in our alphabetical quiz series. It could be the first letter of an answer, or just part of a key word featuring in the question. Ready?

Which ex-Red (with a surname that starts with ‘R’), holds the record for scoring England’s fastest-ever World Cup goal?

3.

At which stadium, beginning with ‘R’, did United’s first-ever competitive visit result in a Premier League title triumph (1995/96)?

Rooney inherited

Phil Neville scored two European goals for the Reds, with one coming against Rangers and the other against which Danish side in 1998?

The Republic of Ireland’s 1994 World Cup squad included Roy Keane and which other United player? 2. 1. 4. 5. 10. 8. 9. 7. 6. 14

Which ex-Reds defender and Treble winner was manager of Reading for their FA Cup visit to Old Trafford in January 2017?

Which current player made his United debut in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup meeting with Real Madrid?

Against which club did Rasmus Hojlund score his first United goal?

Whose first Reds hat-trick came in a 5-0 win over RB Leipzig in October 2020?

In March 2024, Bruno Fernandes scored a record-breaking 29th penalty for the Reds, overtaking the previous highest tally set by which player (Clue: one of his names begins with ‘R’)?

1. Bryan Robson; 2. Denis Irwin; 3. Riverside Stadium; 4. Brondby; 5. Nicky Butt; 6. Jaap Stam;

7.

Victor Lindelof; 8. Marcus Rashford; 9. Bayern Munich; 10. Ruud van Nistelrooy

Wayne

the no.8 shirt from which departing Academy graduate midfielder, when joining United in 2004?