“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.

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.

Related: Denis Law: the balletic superstar who scored with an extrovert’s flourish

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.

“He was my dad’s hero and one of the first players I was aware of as a child,” says Richard Redman, a United season-ticket holder from Rochdale. “My parents have a signed photo of him up in their kitchen – along with the rest of the Trinity – and he has been an emblem of my Manchester United upbringing and education through the years. His contribution to our club transcends the generations, with many fans my age idolising him despite never seeing him play. He’s the one who people my dad’s age talk about the most – it’s been that way as long as I can remember. They feel the same way about him as I do about Eric Cantona – probably even more so.”

Once Law hung up his boots, he remained in the north-west, living in Cheshire and was a regular at social and charity engagements. Thousands of United and City supporters crossed his path throughout his retirement. “The first time I met him was at a former players’ event, and he was such a nice person, and everybody says that,” says Ying-Hoi, who witnessed Law’s peak up close when he won the 1964 Ballon d’Or. “By then he had retired from football, but compared to a lot of ex-footballers there was no sense of entitlement. I was nervous to speak to him but he completely disarmed me the moment I approached him. That was the thing that really struck me.”

Inside the ground the banner behind one goal reads “Denis Law The King Of The Stretford End”, a stand that is home to a second statue of the legend. The plethora of screens on the concourses showed his greatest hits in red, reminding everyone of his clinical finishing. The man was royalty at Old Trafford, a legendary figure who was often in the stands until being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He loved being among the fans, those that made the fortnightly pilgrimage to see their heroes when the Trinity were at their peak. On the walk to the stadium, there are constant reminders of Law. Fittingly he has a mural on the outside of The Trafford pub next to the other King, Eric Cantona, and photos of his goals are plastered around.

Related: Brighton’s brilliance and André Onana’s blunder rock sorry Manchester United

“I can always see him score an overhead kick in my mind,” says Ying-Hoi. “He was the best striker at the time – maybe alongside Jimmy Greaves. I have been very fortunate to follow United when we had him, George Best and Bobby Charlton. To see them all go is very, very sad.”

The 73,758 in the ground stood to applaud Law, who scored 237 goals in 404 games for United, after a wreath was laid next to the pitch by his close friend Sir Alex Ferguson, who described him as “the best Scottish player of all time”. Three remaining members of the 1968 European Cup winning team, Alex Stepney, Paddy Crerand and Brian Kidd, were present on the pitch.

They were piped on to the pitch to the subtle sound of Flower of Scotland. Law missed the Wembley final in 1968 because of the knee injury that plagued much of his career. Ferguson wore black tie in honour of his hero, a fellow Scottish striker he idolised despite there only being a year between them, and the players had the requisite armbands.

Ferguson was not alone in idolising the man who was given a royal moniker, an honour not even bestowed upon Charlton or Best. In that regard only Cantona can claim parity with Law. And as the poem read out before kick-off states, Denis Law is “still the King of the Stretford End”.