A POORLY grandad’s dying wish came true when four Manchester United players turned up at his home to comfort him in his final hours.

England ace Marcus Rashford - along with team-mates Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Timothy Fosu-Mensah - arrived at the man’s home after responding to an appeal on social media.

10 Manchester United footie stars visit Paddy Lawler and fulfil his dying wish Credit: Tony Spencer

Paddy Lawler, 73, passed away just 45 minutes after the footie aces left his home and his family believe he “held on” to see them.

His granddaughter Kayleigh Lawler, 27, who launched the appeal, said: “Grandad was a massive Manchester United fan and the visit meant the world to him.

“I asked him off the cuff about what his dying wish would be and he said he would like to meet some United players."

10 Happy time ... Paddy Lawler with daughter Tracy

10 Manchester United fan, Paddy, with granddaughter Aubree Credit: Tony Spencer

“I put an appeal on Facebook just to see how I could even start organising something like that and it just went mad from there.

“We couldn’t believe they took the time to make a dying man’s wish come true. They were here for half an hour and were more than happy to take as many photos and sign as many shirts as we wanted.

“They didn’t have to visit a man on his deathbed, it was an incredibly selfless thing to do. He died just 45 minutes after they left and we’re convinced he held on just to see them.”

10 Paddy's granddaughter Kayleigh launched a Facebook appeal to try fulfil Paddy's dying wish to see his footie heros

The millionaire stars arrived in a fleet of luxury cars and spent half an hour talking about the Red Devils and posing for pictures on Tuesday afternoon.

Dad-of-four and grandfather-of-13 Paddy, from Wythenshaw, Manchester, lost his four-year battle with prostate cancer less than an hour later.

His widow, Eunice, 71, said: “We had told him about the United players coming to see him and it made him so happy.

“They were such nice young men to go to that trouble and it is a huge comfort to us to know he died happy."

10 The dad of four lost his battle with prostate cancer less than an hour after the players left his bedside Credit: Tony Spencer

10 The Manchester Utd players arrived in a fleet of luxury cars to paddy's house Credit: Tony Spencer

“Paddy was a massive United fan for more than 50 years and his favourite players were Ryan Giggs and George Best.

“He was always laughing and joking and refused to let the cancer get the better of him. Doctors told him he had six months left but he fought for four years."

10 Kayleigh Lawler launched an appeal on Facebook to make her grandfather's dying wish come true

10 Winger Lingard's cousin Robert Kilshaw spotted the post and plans for the visit happened soon after

10 Paddys granddaughter made the appeal after asking him would he like to do anything before his time comes

The former plumber’s grand-daughter launched the appeal on Saturday night and it was shared hundreds of times.

Winger Lingard’s cousin Robert Kilshaw spotted the post and put the wheels in motion for Tuesday’s visit.

The post read: “Please can everyone share - I’m trying to get a few of Manchester United players to come and visit my grandad.

“We asked him the other day if he would like to do anything before his time comes and he said to meet the team."

10 The players stayed at the family home for half an hour posing for photos and signing shirts Credit: Tony Spencer

“I’ve emailed the MUFC foundation but no reply yet. And not sure how long we have left with him so I want to get this as a surprise.

“He’s a MASSIVE fan - even tried his hardest to keep his eyes open yesterday to watch the match but sadly he missed it. I’m sure he will be a very happy man if I can get his last wish.”