Paddy Lawler, 73, from Manchester, passed away just 45 minutes after football players from his favorite team paid a visit to his home to grant his dying wish.
His granddaughter, Kayleigh Lawler Carson, had earlier published a plea on Facebook to raise awareness of Paddy’s request to meet players from the 20-time champions of England before he died.
“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,” Kayleigh wrote in the post.
“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. Thank you to you all Xxx.”
The post was shared over 1,000 times on the social media site and eventually was spotted by Manchester United winger Jesse Lingard’s cousin.
Three days later, United first team ace Lingard, together with Marcus Rashford, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Ashley Young traveled to visit Paddy at his bedside in Wythenshawe, south Manchester, where they posed for pictures with him and signed memorabilia.
Man United stars visited grandad 45 minutes before he died from cancer bit.ly/2cG3ear
Less than an hour after the meeting, Paddy tragically lost his battle with prostate cancer.
Kayleigh paid tribute to the players in another Facebook post, describing them as "incredibly selfless."
"Top lads, all four of them. Thanks so much to everyone who helped. Sure my grandad's over the moon," she said.
In another touching gesture, Everton donated £200,000 ($265,000) towards specialist treatment of neuroblastoma for five-year-old Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery after the two sides met in a Premier League match on Monday.
