These are the qualities that Sir Alex so admires, and probably sees in himself. He told the audience that the "courage" so evident in his footballing hero, squaring up to the likes of Jack Charlton, even if he towered above the Reds striker, was an attribute he always looked for in a player.
Not only is it a trait that will serve you well on a pitch, when having to deal with brutal challenges and ongoing battles with defenders, but off it too. Nobody was going to prevent Denis from rising to the top of the game and he should serve as a source of inspiration for anybody in any walk of life.
Any scan of those in attendance at the famous landmark in Manchester, in addition to family and close friends, will have spotted United coaches, first-team players, staff and footballers from the past. The man who shares the international goalscoring record for Scotland with Law, Sir Kenny Dalglish, was present. As was one of only two men to have found the net more often for United, in Wayne Rooney.
Di mused that, now reunited with the other members of the United Trinity, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best, her father may be up there picking a team now, with Sir Matt Busby as manager. And Denis's late wife of over 60 years, Diana, putting the kettle on.