Lifelong Manchester United fan Patrick Lawler got to meet his heroes in a dying wish that came true – before passing away 45 minutes later.
Ashley Young, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Timothy Fosu-Mensah all visited the 73-year-old after his grand-daughter Kayleigh made an appeal on Facebook.
Mr Lawler, who was battling prostate cancer, wanted to meet his favourite players before he died.
The four Premier League players visited him in his home, posed for pictures and signed autographs. Under an hour later, Mr Lawler died.
Kayleigh told the Manchester Evening News how excited her granddad had been when being told he’d get to meet the players.
“Then they said they would come round after training on Tuesday and his eyes lit up again when we told him,” she said.
“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.”
She added: “Top lads, all four of them. Thanks so much to everyone who helped. Sure my granddad’s over the moon.”
