THE MOST FAMOUS GOAL IN MANC DERBY HISTORY THAT backheel? It was just a fluke says the Law Man

HIS FINAL KICK Law’s famous backheel goal against United was his very last touch in professional football

DENIS LAW has admitted one of the most famous goals in Manchester derby history was “a fluke” – almost 50 years after he scored it.

Law’s back-heeled winner for City at Old Trafford in April 1974 has entered folklore as the goal that relegated United, ending their 36-year stay in the top flight.

As it was, other results meant United were down, irrespective of the 1-0 defeat courtesy of Law’s goal, scored against the club where he achieved legendary status.

Ahead of today’s derby, Law recalled the iconic moment, claiming it was more down to luck than skill.

“The backheel was a fluke, yes,” said

Law (with Mike Summerbee after the game, right).

“Well, it was! I mean, a back-heel? How do you do a back-heel when you’re there? It wasn’t very nice, but that’s the game, isn’t it?

“It was my last kick of a ball in professional football. Isn’t that strange? That was it, a back-heel.”

Having played for both Manchester clubs, scoring 237 goals for United and 37 for City over two spells, derby day is always a tricky one for Law. With friends and family on both sides of the football divide, Law, who turned 80 this year, always prefers the game to end with honours even.

“I’d be happy with a draw,” said Law. “When I was at City, I was against United, and when I was at United, I was against City.

“We used to play as if we didn’t know the people playing, but after the game we were the best of friends.

“I was a strange guy in those days, because I wanted the game to be a draw at United and a draw at City, so nobody’s too happy and nobody’s too annoyed.”

Law has seen one former United team-mate, Nobby Stiles, pass away after living with advanced dementia, and another, Sir Bobby Charlton, diagnosed with the same condition.

Asked if he was convinced of the link between heading the ball and dementia, Law said: “Absolutely, without a doubt. That’s definitely from the game before.

“It’s a different game now, there’s not as much heading of the ball today, as there was back then.

“Heading the ball, going back years, was quite hard to get over, and I think that’s why former players are being diagnosed.”

The Law Man, a film celebrating Denis Law’s life and career, produced by Buzz16, is on Sky Documentaries on December 18.