Denis Law made big impact on Northern Ireland international in early days at Manchester United
Former Northern Ireland international David McCreery has paid an emotional tribute to Denis Law following the sad news of the Manchester United legend's passing after his battle with dementia.
McCreery spent a brief time with Law at Old Trafford as a wide-eyed teenager starting off his career in the game.
The 'Holy Trinity' of Law, George Best and Bobby Charlton were icons of the game by the time McCreery had made the move from Belfast.
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But McCreery never forgot how he was treated by Law in particular as he was thrust into first team action with Tommy Docherty's side.
McCreery took to 'X' to pay tribute to Law and recall those early days at Old Trafford: "15 years of age as a schoolboy I found myself training with Man Utd First Team.
"Shy lad from Belfast on the same pitch training with Best, Charlton and Law. Always remember Denis made me feel so welcome which helped me so much. Wonderful man and wonderful player. RIP Denis."
Law spent 11 years playing for United, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances to put him third on the club's all-time goalscorers list, behind only Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton.
He remains the only Scot to win the Ballon d'Or and he made a big impression on teenager McCreery.
The young midfielder had initially signed for Spurs, but his career took a different turn when legendary United scout Bob Bishop rapped on the front door of his Belfast home and spoke with his parents.
McCreery made his debut at the tender age of 17 years and 19 days in October 1974 coming on as a replacement for Scotland international Willie Morgan in a scoreless draw at Portsmouth.
He chalked up 79 appearances for the Old Trafford club before he celebrated his 20th birthday, putting him ninth on the top-10 list of most appearances made by teenagers at United
McCreery went on to play in TWO FA Cup finals as a teenager with United, losing the 1976 showpiece 1-0 to Southampton in one of the greatest shocks in the history of the competition.
But he enjoyed entirely different emotions a year later when charismatic Scottish manager Docherty introduced him from the bench in a memorable 2-1 win over Liverpool in the 1977 final.
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