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This is the moment lifelong Man United fan Paddy Lawler met his heroes - 45 minutes before he died from cancer.

Paddy, a 73-year-old granddad from Wythenshawe, Manchester, had told his family he would love to meet some of his favourite Reds before he passed on.

And so his granddaughter Kayleigh, 27, posted an impassioned appeal on Facebook in the hope someone would be able to make his dream come true.

The post was shared more than 1,000 times - and incredibly it was spotted by United winger Jesse Lingaard's cousin.

And three days later some of United's stars - Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Timothy Fosu-Mensah - came to visit.

Less than an hour after the players left, Paddy lost his battle with prostate cancer.

(Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter)

Kayleigh paid tribute to the players, describing them as "incredibly selfless".

She posted on Facebook: "Top lads, all four of them. Thanks so much to everyone who helped. Sure my grandad's over the moon."

Her original 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 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"

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