United fans pay tribute to Denis Law, the ‘emblem’ of a generation
United fans pay tribute to Denis Law, the ‘emblem’ of a generation
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‘King of the Stretford End’ scored the goals that led to league titles and European Cup in the 1960s. “It’s the end of a generation,” says Ying-Hoi Soo, a Manchester United supporter since the 1960s. He has come to lay flowers at the United Trinity statue after the death of its final member, Denis Law.
![[Will Unwin]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2024/10/03/Will_Unwin.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The bronze is once again surrounded by scarves, shirts and flowers in a growing semi-circle at the base. Law is in the middle, hand aloft, with Bobby Charlton and George Best either side. The passing of the final third of the “United Trinity” is a reminder of what has been lost already for fans. “What a team heaven has got now,” reads one message written on a shirt. They were an iconic trio, leading United to era-defining glories in the 1960s with Law’s death almost 61 years to the day since they all started together for the first time. This was the final poignant goodbye.
![[Ying-Hoi Soo pays tribute to Denis Law by the Trinity statue]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9036b32937e23af94038969b0be50cddbf88e632/0_96_5735_3441/master/5735.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Every United household had a favourite at the time. They adored all three but one would always be placed on the pedestal. United supporters were brought up on Charlton, Best and Law for decades after they retired, as youngsters were told stories of their heroics as trophies mounted up under Sir Matt Busby. All three went on to win the Ballon d’Or but Law was the trailblazer, anointed two years before Charlton and four before Best. Sometimes the other two are more heralded in these parts but Law’s achievements are equally significant. He arrived in 1963 from Torino and the prolific striker was instrumental in igniting a new epoch of success at the club, a world away from the current malaise. He would stay for a decade before moving across town to City, something he was forgiven for.
