OLD TRAFFORD has paid a heartwarming tribute to Manchester United legend Denis Law following his death at the age of 84.
Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson joined Law's former team-mates Paddy Crerand and Alex Stepney on the pitch as a moving poem was read before kick-off against Brighton.
Scottish pipers played 'The Flower of Scotland' as United's starting line-up slowly walked alongside Brighton's XI on Sunday.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes held up a wreath as the teams were led out, as a sell-out crowd applauded.
Ferguson, who sang “Take Me Home, United Road”, took the field with a host of United legends.
The fellow countryman, 82, laid the wreath halfway down the line after the poem about the law ended.
More than 74,000 fans then erupted in new applause and chanting before kick-off.
All flags at Old Trafford are at half-mast, including the Scottish flag above the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.
Man Utd wear black armbands in tribute to Law, who was known as The King of the Stretford End.
Mourners arrived at Old Trafford late on Friday evening to lay flowers and scarves and leave messages for the law.
Winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1964, Law won the European Cup, two English titles and the FA Cup in his 11 years at Old Trafford between 1962 and 1973.
He is United's third highest all-time goalscorer behind Wayne Rooney and Charlton with 237 in 404 games, and Scotland's joint top scorer with 30 goals from his 55 caps.
Law revealed in August 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
He is one of the United Trinity immortalized in a statue at Old Trafford alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton, who died last year.
Ferguson hugged his former striker Danny Welbeck, who now plays for Brighton, before the whistle.
Ferguson recalled heartfelt memories of first meeting Law, who he considers “the greatest Scottish player of all time”.
The iconic Man Utd coach told MUTV ahead of this afternoon's tribute: “Once you knew Denis and saw him play, you said: this is a player.
“He has all these caps for Scotland, the king of Old Trafford.
“The interesting thing is why they call him 'The King', because they had George Best and Bobby Charlton, the greatest English player of all time.
“He was a fantastic player for this club, but they called Denis 'The King'.
“It has something to do with his determination, the will to win that he showed every time he stepped onto the football field.
“That's what he was: a really competitive person. No matter what game, that was always there.
“This image of Denis Law fighting the centre-back. If the goalkeeper dropped the ball he would be right over it.”
However, United's current side failed to give the King the send-off he deserved, losing 3-1 in another hugely disappointing performance for the Old Trafford faithful.
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