They heard Denis Law's voice one last time before Manchester United fans said their final goodbye

Robert Burns was quoted in the order of service: "Now's the day and now's the hour."

Above those words was an evocative celebratory image of a topless and smiling Denis Law in the dressing room, swigging from a bottle of champagne.

"I normally read off the top of my head," Sir Alex Ferguson told the audience. "But I can't today."

Ferguson stood at the same lectern Manchester Cathedral five weeks ago to read a eulogy to Kath Phipps off the top of his head. He was visibly emotional as he gave another reading to his hero, Law.

More than 100 United fans congregated outside the Cathedral in bitingly cold conditions. One fan sported a Liverpool jacket. Their own 'King' - Sir Kenny Dalglish - arrived to pay homage to United's King.

A handful of Real Madrid fans gathered ahead of their Champions League tie with City. Sinclair's Oyster Bar, a favourite haunt for travelling European fans in Manchester, is around the corner.

The good and the great were on the guest list: Ferguson, Dalglish, Robson, Van Nistelrooy, Scholes, Rooney, Neville, Schmeichel, Butt. United captains past and present, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes, along with Tom Heaton, represented the first team.

Fernandes had his tie adjusted by a press officer as he strolled towards the cathedral in his Paul Smith club suit. An elderly lady later thanked him as he walked past. Ruben Amorim was flanked by his assistant, Carlos Fernandes, and other select backroom staff members.

Teammates of Law's braved the chill: Alex Stepney, Willie Morgan, Sammy McIlroy, Jim Ryan, Brian Kidd and Martin Buchan. Mike Summerbee from Law's City days.

"He was reserved, Denis, a very reserved person," Kidd said on the Cathedral steps. "Shy really. You wouldn't have thought that when you