In a week when tributes poured in from the titans of the game, it was a fan's poem that best captured what Denis Law means in this place.
“The Stretford End, his loyal throne, where Denis Law made greatness known,” began the poem, read as the players stood arm in arm around the center circle.
“The Lawman struck with poise and grace, the instincts of a predator, the perfect pace.
'With every goal, the terraces, his name on their lips, sang the national anthem. A tap, a volley, a header supreme, Denis made football a dream.
'The King of Old Trafford, fierce and loyal. In the red he floated, the world he flew.
'Beyond the goals, the man stood proud, a heart of gold that inspired everyone.
“Although the trophies glittered, his pride was evident, for the fans he played in front of year after year.
“Now that time has passed, but the memories remain, the legend of the law will not fade.
'For every song, for every friend, he is still the king of Stretford End.'
Every line echoed around every corner of this massive stadium that was Law's home base for much of his career.
By this stage, every fan in Old Trafford, more than 73,000, was on their feet. Many were visibly moved when the poem was read. Some wiped tears from their eyes.
This would be a day of reflection and celebration, whatever happened in the 90 minutes of match action.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who visited Law several times a week at his care home before he died this week aged 84, was here. He walked onto the field with a red scarf draped over his gray trench coat and a wreath, one of many, in his hands.
He walked out to rapturous applause alongside Paddy Crerand, Alex Stepney and Brian Kidd.
Presenters and pundits on MUTV wore black as a sign of respect, while players wore black armbands.
A bagpiper, Terry Carr, led the players out to the tune of Flower of Scotland, although a disturbance prevented this from being heard through the stadium.
Dozens of bouquets of red roses were buried outside the stadium as a tribute. Much of the square in front of the statue of the Holy Trinity – 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 onto the tributes, with many fans flocking to the ground hours early to pay their own respects.
“He meant so much to everyone at this club,” said Harry Maguire ahead of the match of Law, who remains United's third top scorer with 237 and the only Scot to ever win the Ballon d'Or.
'One of the best players to ever play for the club. I haven't had the privilege of watching him play, but I've heard so much about him, not only as a footballer but also as a person.
“It's a sad time for us as we look at a great man and a true legend at this club.”
'Let's win for Denis' was the sentiment from the fans as they filtered through the Munich tunnel and entered through the turnstiles. The most fitting farewell with the Law family in attendance was to embrace the spirit of 'The King' and put on a show on the field.
And it is perhaps the underperformance of the current crop of stars, 3-1 losers to Brighton here, that underlined why greats like Law should – 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's a saying in Scotland: 'Who do you think you are? Dennis Wet?”.
'He was the best Scottish player of all time. He was a fantastic player. He embodies Scotland, fighting away, fighting in an empty house. He was an incredible human being.
“He had a knack for taking the micky out of people when they don't know. The good thing is that he didn't take advantage of his fame. He was so down to earth.
“He was a really competitive person no matter the game, that was always there. It was natural for the followers to associate with him and their king.'
A fitting farewell to one of the club's greatest. The king may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
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