The smiling assassin with Red blood in his veins - RIP The King, Denis Law

Today was the day older United fans knew was coming. The day the last surviving member of the 'Holy Trinity' left us.

George Best was the first to go, far too young aged just 59, in 2005, and then Sir Bobby Charlton in 2023, aged 86.

Denis Law, the charming yet lethal Scot with a beaming smile for everyone, has now joined them. He'd been ill for a while. His appearances as a spectator at his beloved Old Trafford dwindled over the years, and whenever the camera panned to him it was clear this giant of the game, known affectionately as Law Man or simply The King by supporters, was being diminished by age and ill health.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia in August 2021. The last time he was at the Theatre of Dreams was in February 2023, when United beat Leicester.

Despite United being a world-wide behemoth, in some ways it is like a small village. Reds of a certain vintage would make polite enquiries of their contacts, whispering: "How's Denis?" The decline was as well-known as it was sad.

Away from his very many achievements on the pitch, he was a likeable charmer with a glint in his eye and a love of a bit of mischief. He liked to tease the late former Manchester Evening News United reporter David Meek by calling him 'Sneaky Meeky' in front of other United legends, knowing he was nothing of the sort. Try to imagine for one moment any modern footballer having that kind of rapport with a journalist.

Legend had it he would ensure he was 'injured' whenever Christmas was on the horizon during his playing days, so he could fully enjoy the festivities and a proper Hogmanay.

Not many Manchester United players would ever be forgiven for playing for Manchester City, but Denis was. He memorably scored the