Mark Twain once said that "never let the truth be a stumbling block to a good story", and Dennis Law let Manchester United relegate in 1974, which is a good story, but we don't have to be confused about it.
There is no doubt about this, Dennis Law is a legend of Old Trafford.
In 1962, Law moved from Turin to Manchester United for a whopping £115,000 ($143,000). He then spent 11 years with the Red Devils, making 404 appearances and scoring 237 goals. In United history, only Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney have scored more goals than he has.
Dennis Law has played for the Red Devils alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best, and the trident of the three is also known as the "Manchester United Three Saints".
Today, their statue stands just outside Old Trafford, and "Bronze Man" Dennis Law uses his most common way of celebrating: raising his right arm and pointing his index finger to the sky.
Although he is a United legend, Dennis Law's most famous goal was scored against the Red Devils.
The Scotland international bid farewell to Old Trafford at the end of the 1972-73 season, when he made just 11 appearances in the league and scored one goal as the legendary goalscorer, who had scored tumult, began to "fall into darkness" as a result of injuries.
In the summer of 1973, his mentor Busby left the post, and the new coach, Dochetti, was not impressed with him and wanted to send him away. In this way, the Manchester United legend joined his other old owner in Manchester, Manchester United's city rival Manchester City.
However, fans do not hold a grudge against Dennis Law's nemesis who joined their team.
When he returned to Old Trafford with Manchester City on 27 April 1974, he was warmly welcomed by fans who still respected the legendary star who had won him two league titles and one Champions League.
The fans watched even more desperately than usual as their team was defeated by their neighbours.
United were second-to-last out of 22 teams with just two rounds left in the league and they needed to beat City before hoping that 19th-placed Birmingham would be beaten by Norwich.
Nearly 57,000 people watched the most important Manchester derby in history, witnessing one of the most iconic goals ever scored.
With eight minutes left and the two sides still tied 0-0, Dennis Law cleverly kicked a pass from Frannie Lee into the United goal.
It's his classic way of scoring goals, almost instinctively, but he can't celebrate with his arms raised in the air as usual. He looked shocked, not elated.
He later admitted to the Daily Mail: "I was only feeling depressed, it wasn't who I usually am."
"I've been trying to score goals for 19 years, but this time I was a little hopeful I didn't get the ball into the goal. I couldn't console myself. I don't want that to happen. ”
Dennis Law felt like he had relegated United, and the story was often told in this way.
But in reality, his goals don't matter at all. Even if United won, they could not avoid relegation, as another condition of their relegation was not met, and Birmingham beat Norwich and had already succeeded in the early round of relegation.
However, this was no consolation for Law, especially since one of the most famous goals of his career had personally sent his old club to the second division.
In fact, in 2012, when he was asked how long the goal against Manchester United had been painful for him, he replied: "How long ago was this game?" That's the answer I give you. This topic is always brought up suddenly, it is always discussed, and I am remembered for it. It's a shame. ”
Considering that this goal is completely irrelevant, it is unfair for people to keep mentioning it this way, and Dennis Law, the Manchester United legend, should not be remembered in this form.
The truth is really not as wonderful as you want.