WAYNE ROONEY has paid an emotional tribute to Denis Law, saying: Wearing your number 10 shirt was an honour.
Manchester United are mourning the 'King of the Stretford End', who died on Friday at the age of 84 after a battle with dementia.
Old Trafford will act as a shrine to the Scot ahead of today's home game against Brighton.
There will be a minute's applause for the man who scored 237 league goals for the Red Devils between 1962 and 1973.
Only two men have scored more for United: Law's teammate and fellow great Sir Bobby Charlton – and Rooney himself.
Rooney, a goal machine for United from 2004 to 2017, recalled the moment he was presented with Law's iconic shirt.
He said: “Initially I was number 8 when I joined Manchester United, but when Ruud van Nistelrooy left, Denis handed me the number 10 shirt.
“It was a huge honor for me that one of the club legends presented me with that shirt; wearing that number was such a big thing.”
Law famously scored against United for Manchester City in 1974, on the day the former European champions were relegated.
He had two short spells at City and also played for Huddersfield and Italian side Torino.
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But United always remained close to his heart and he was a regular visitor to Old Trafford after his retirement.
His family also felt the same way: daughter Di became a press officer during the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rooney, 39, told BBC Five Live: “He was always very helpful over the years with lots of advice. He was a great guy to talk to.
“When you join this football club you learn a lot about its history and Denis was certainly one of the most important players.
“His daughter worked at the club, so I became close to the family. Every time I met Denis he gave me good advice about scoring goals and tried to help me as much as possible.
“It was very sad when I heard the news, so I would also like to express my condolences to his family. He wasn't just a football legend; a true family man has left us.”
Van Nistelrooy also paid tribute to Law, who was his neighbor when the Leicester boss played at Old Trafford.
He said: “I used to go in for coffee. Time passed just by talking about life, his career and football. It was simply delicious.
“He was the most humble person you could ever meet for someone with a statue outside Old Trafford. And he had the biggest heart.
“I could get some things out of my head and he also had a great sense of humor. It was very useful – and it was so special.”
Ex-United captain Gary Neville, 49, said: “I know he was Sir Alex Ferguson's favorite player.
“I spent some time with him, which was a great privilege, and got to know him as a great gentleman with great humor, but humble, who had no arrogance at all about his career.
“My father and my grandfather went to Manchester United from the age of five and talked about Law, Best and Charlton, the three most famous players to have played for Manchester United.
“Denis was absolutely brilliant company. He was humble in his greatness – and that is the best tribute I can give him.”
Law has also been involved in charity work in retirement, establishing the Denis Law Legacy Trust in 2012.
Neville added: “The work he did in terms of raising his voice about Alzheimer's and prostate cancer.
“He was brave on the pitch. I know from what everyone has said he didn't mess around, but he was brave off it too. He will be sadly missed.”
Music legend Sir Rod Stewart also paid tribute to Law on Instagram, sharing a photo of them together, with the message: “Farewell my hero, rest in peace.”
Players and staff will wear black armbands for the match against Brighton, as will the women's team for tonight's derby against Manchester City at the Etihad.
United chief Omar Berrada joined hundreds of fans at Old Trafford yesterday morning as flowers, flags and wreaths were laid.
Aberdeen-born Law will be immortalized there in a statue alongside Sir Bobby and fellow legend George Best, United's famous Holy Trinity.
He is the only Scot to win the Ballon d'Or, which he received in 1964.
Law is joint record scorer for Scotland with 30 goals in 55 caps.
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