A lifelong Manchester United fan got his dying wish to meet his heroes - just 45 minutes before he passed away.

Patrick Lawler, 73, told his family he would love to be visited at his home in Wythenshawe by his favourite Reds as he was in the final stages of his battle with cancer.

So granddaughter Kayleigh, 27, posted an emotional plea on Facebook asking if anyone could help make Patrick’s dream come true.

And just days later Wythenshawe’s Marcus Rashford and fellow players Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Timothy Fosu-Mensah turned up at his home.

The stars posed for photographs with Patrick, who was dressed in a United shirt, as well as signing autographs.

Less than an hour after the visit Patrick passed away.

Kayleigh said that her granddad known as Paddy and himself previously a professional footballer, was told there was nothing doctors could do for him after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago, which spread to other parts of his body.

And she says she decided to try and grant the lifelong United fan his dying wish after his condition deteriorated in recent weeks.

She said: "He had been talking about watching the derby and I later I asked if him if there was anything he wanted.

"He said nothing at first but when I mentioned meeting the players his eyes just lit up and he became dead excited as if to say 'is that possible?'

"So I posted on Facebook to see how to go about it and I couldn't believe the response.

"Within hours people had said they knew people at the club and I got a number for someone who knows Jesse (Lingard).

"Then they said they would come round after training on Tuesday and his eyes lit up again when we told him.

"They pulled up in their own cars and it was absolutely amazing to see them.

"Obviously Marcus (Rashford) is a local lad and granddad has seen Jesse play before and loves him.

"He was so poorly he was barely able to stay awake.

"But they were great with him. They were so down to earth and and chatted to him, had pictures and signed some shirts.

"It was obviously really, really emotional for all of us."I'm just so glad we were able to do that for him and give him that memory."

Kayleigh paid tribute to the ‘incredibly selfless’ gesture, writing on Facebook: “Top lads, all four of them. Thanks so much to everyone who helped. Sure my grandad’s over the moon.”

In her original post Kayleigh wrote: “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 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 know he will be so gutted that he didn’t watch it I’m sure he will be a very happy man If I can get his last wish

“Thankyou to u all Xxx”

The post was shared more than 1000 times and the following day Kayleigh wrote: “Thank-you all that have shared this means so much to me Thankyou xx.

“I’m sorted now and they have said they will come and see him just waiting on details now X Good old power of Facebook. My grandad is going be the happiest man.”