In a week where tributes have poured in from titans of the game, it was the poem of a fan that best encapsulated what Denis Law means around this place.
‘The Stretford End, his loyal throne, where Denis Law made greatness known,’ the poem, read out as players stood arm in arm around the centre circle, began.
‘The Lawman struck with poise and grace, a predator’s instinct, the perfect pace.
‘With every goal the terraces sang, his name on their lips, the anthem rang. A flick, a volley, a header supreme, Denis turned football into a dream.
‘The King of Old Trafford, fierce and true. In red he soared, the world he flew.
‘Beyond the goals the man stood tall, a heart of gold that inspired all.
Manchester United legend Denis Law sadly passed away at the age of 84 earlier this week
Fans were on their feet as Old Trafford paid their respects to the legendary player on Sunday
Some supporters were visibly moved by a poem that was read out ahead of the match against Brighton
‘Though trophies shone his pride was clear, for the fans he played year after year.
‘Now time has passed but memories stay, the legend of Law won’t fade away.
‘For every chant, for every friend, he’s still the king of the Stretford End.’
Every line reverberated around each corner of this titanic stadium where Law called home for much of his career.
By this stage every fan inside Old Trafford, more than 73,000 of them, was on there feet. Many were visibly moved by the reading of the poem. Some brushed tears from their eyes.
This was to be a day of reflection as well as celebration, whatever happened in the 90 minutes of match action.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who had visited Law multiple times a week at his care home prior to his death at the age of 84 this week, was here. He walked out onto the pitch with a red scarf draped over his grey trench coat with a wreath, one of many, in his hands.
He strode out to rapturous applause alongside Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney and Brian Kidd.
Supporters left flowers and other tributes by the statue of Law that sits outside old Trafford
Law completed United’s fearsome front line of the 1960s alongside Sir Bobby Charlton (middle) and George Best (right)
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson laid a wreath in Law’s honour ahead of the Red Devils’ clash against Brighton
Presenters and pundits on MUTV wore black as a mark of respect, while players wore black armbands.
A piper, Terry Carr, led the players out to the tune of Flower of Scotland, albeit a malfunction of sorts prevented this from ringing out around the stadium.
Outside the stadium, dozens of bouquets of red roses were laid to rest in tribute. A large swath of the plaza in front of the Holy Trinity statue – of George Best, Law and Sir Bobby Charlton – was covered in a sea of red scarves and shirts.
A Manchester City shirt, a club where Law spent two separate spells, even snuck its way into the tributes with many fans flocking to the ground hours early to pay their own respects.
‘He meant so much to everybody and everyone at this club,’ Harry Maguire said pre-match of Law, who remains United’s third top goalscorer with 237 and the only Scot to ever win the Ballon d’Or.
‘One of the greatest players to have ever played for the club. I didn’t get the privilege to see him play but I have heard so much about him, not just as a footballer but also as a person.
‘It is a sad time for us regarding a great man and a real legend at this club.’
‘Let’s win for Denis’ was the fan sentiment as they filtered down through the Munich tunnel and in through the turnstiles. The most fitting send-off with Law’s family in attendance was to encapsulate the spirit of ‘The King’ and put on a show on the pitch.
Manchester United and Brighton players observed a minute’s silence in Law’s honour ahead of their Premier League clash
Tributes have flooded in for the former United and Scotland star since his passing on Friday
And it is perhaps the under-performance of the current crop of stars, 3-1 losers to Brighton here, that underlined why the greats such as Law must – and will – always be revered and remembered.
‘Once you knew Denis and saw him as a player, you just thought “wow, this is a player”,’ Ferguson said yesterday.
‘There is a saying in Scotland “who do you think you are? Denis Law?”.
‘He was the best Scottish player of all time. He was a fantastic player. He epitomises Scotland, fighting away, have a fight in an empty house. He was an incredible human being.
‘He had the gift of being able to take the micky out of people when they don’t know. The great thing is he didn’t use his fame. He was so level headed.
‘He was a really competitive human being, no matter what the game, that was always there. It was a natural thing for the supporters to associate with him and their king.’
A fitting farewell for one of the club’s greatest. The King may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
