Remembering Denis Law today
A year after Denis Law's sad death, it is perhaps fitting that this date marks the latest meeting between Manchester United and neighbours City.
The 1964 Ballon d'Or winner was a giant of the game and his passing sparked a huge outpouring of emotion, and pride, in respect of what he achieved in his glittering career, and beyond.
Of course, Denis is still revered at Old Trafford.
In addition to his place alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best in the Trinity Statue, in front of the East Stand, he has his own one, in pride of place, within the Stretford End.
Denis Law | Made In Aberdeen
FILM | The definitive story of Denis Law, on the one-year anniversary of his passing...
He was 'The King' and the song, belted out to the tune of 'Lily the Pink' by The Scaffold, accompanied his goalscoring exploits in the red shirt.
The 1968 Christmas number one will be part of our pre-match playlist before kick-off against Pep Guardiola's side and thoughts will instantly turn to the Scotsman again, and how much he is missed.
This will be the case for City fans too, after he moved across town to Maine Road in 1973 and finished his career with them, scoring a famous backheeled goal against the Reds on the day we were relegated from the top flight.
Denis looked devastated at that moment and it never soured his incredible relationship with the United support.
But, of course, it further cemented his part in the story of the Manchester derby. Not just because he played for both clubs but do not overlook his exploits for the Reds in this classic contest.
In September 1962, he made his first appearance in the fixture and scored twice, albeit in a 3-2 loss, thanks to Alex Harley's 90th-minute winner.
In 1966, his third derby, he notched the only goal in a 1-0 victory and, as the decade drew to a close, he netted in a 2-2 home draw in the League Cup.
In an all-time classic encounter at Maine Road in May 1972, he was on the scoresheet, along with Charlton and Best (2) in a 4-3 triumph.
There was so much more to Denis than the football, though.
As worshipped as he was to an entire generation of followers of the sport, he remained in the public eye after retirement and still treated Old Trafford like his second home.
It was an absolute privilege to attend his funeral last year, and such a profound experience, appreciating just how big an impact he had made.
The Law Man was larger than life and one of the great characters.
One year on, we'll all be having him in our thoughts as we prepare for the 198th edition of this hotly contested fixture, with so much more than local rivalry on the line.