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Manchester United players visit dying grandfather to grant final wish 45 minutes before he passed away

73-year-old Paddy Lawler was visited by Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah after asking his family to meet the United players before he died

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Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah visited Paddy Lawler on Wednesday Facebook/Kayleigh Lawler Carson

Four Manchester United players visited a lifelong fan to grant his last wish, just 45 minutes before he died from cancer.

73-year-old Paddy Lawler asked his family for his dying wish to be the chance to meet members of the United squad, having supported the club throughout his life. Mr Lawler’s granddaughter, Kayleigh, issued a plea on Facebook on Sunday for anyone to help get in touch with the club in order for his wish to be granted, with the post receiving more than 1,000 shares.

The power of social media meant that the post was spotted by the cousin on United winger Jesse Lingard, and he visited Mr Lawler three days’ later along with teammates Marcus Rashford, Ashley Young and Timothy Fosu-Mensah in order to fulfil hus dying wish.

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Sadly, less than an hour after the United players departed , Mr Lawler passed away on Tuesday after suffering from prostate cancer.

The players visited Mr Lawler in his home in Wythenshawe, Manchester, where he was wearing a United home shirt as well has having one framed above his bed. The four also signed memorobilia for the rest of the family while spending time at Mr Lawler’s bedside.

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Ashley Young is pictured next to Mr Lawler (Twitter)
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Jesse Lingard took the time to sign United memorabilia for Mr Lawler's family (Twitter)

Kayleigh, 27, took to Facebook again to praise the “incredibly selfless” gesture by the quartet.

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

Manchester United vs Manchester City player ratings

Manchester United vs Manchester City player ratings

  • 1/22 David De Gea - 7 out of ten

    Not loads to do and could do very little about either goal. He did make two outstanding saves from Fernandinho and Otamendi.

    Reuters

  • 2/22 Antonio Valencia - 5 out of ten

    Has had a fantastic season so far but was pegged back and not allowed to attack as he would like as City targeted the full back areas.

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  • 3/22 Eric Bailly - 6 out of ten

    Should never be losing a header to Iheanacho like the one which led to opening goal but made a number of crucial tackles to stop City extending their lead as United’s defence came under immense pressure.

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  • 4/22 Daley Blind - 4 out of ten

    Blind was a fault for both of the goals, first failing to get in front of De Bruyne for the opener before casually playing Iheanacho onside for the second.

    PA

  • 5/22 Luke Shaw - 5 out of ten

    Like Valencia, Shaw found himself exposed by the City attack with what proved to be the winner coming from the left.

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  • 6/22 Paul Pogba - 6 out of ten

    The end-to-end nature of the game seemed to pass Pogba by and although he made some good runs and had a decent first-half effort, he often found himself out of position. He also failed to track De Bruyne’s run for the first goal.

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  • 7/22 Marouane Fellaini - 7 out of ten

    Fellaini did well throughout the game, breaking up play and using his physicality well. He made some important challenges at vital times but he did pick up his customary yellow card after his elbow went wandering again.

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  • 8/22 Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 3 out of ten

    He picked up an injury on international duty and it was a surprise he started as he did not look fit. His touch looked clumsy, his final ball was poor and his refusal to close down Kolarov ultimately led to the opening goal. Rightly hooked off at half time.

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  • 9/22 Wayne Rooney - 5 out of ten

    Rooney lost possession a number of times but his deliveries from dead-ball situations caused a lot of problems for a nervous Bravo.

    Reuters

  • 10/22 Jesse Lingard - 4 out of ten

    Didn’t really add anything and strange to see him start ahead of fellow speedsters Martial and Rashford.

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  • 11/22 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 7 out of ten

    Took his goal brilliantly, no matter how fortuitous it was. His strength was a constant threat but he strayed offside to deny Rashford an equaliser.

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  • 12/22 Claudio Bravo - 2 out of ten

    Nearly lost the game for City single-handedly. Ironically, he was terrible with the ball at his feet and could have seen red for a dangerous lunge on Rooney. Gifted United their goal and almost gave them a second minutes later.

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  • 13/22 Bacary Sagna - 6 out of ten

    A solid display after spending three games out with a hamstring injury but had his hands full after Rashford’s introduction.

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  • 14/22 John Stones - 6 out of ten

    Made a brilliant tackle to deny Rooney late on but his communication with the debuting Bravo was poor and the pair tangled to gift United their goal.

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  • 15/22 Nicolas Otamendi - 6 out of ten

    Untroubled in the first half but stood strong under intense scrutiny as United hunted for an equaliser.

    Reuters

  • 16/22 Aleksandar Kolarov - 7 out of ten

    Snuffed out any danger from the left-hand side and his long ball set up De Bruyne’s equaliser.

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  • 17/22 Kevin de Bruyne - 9 out of ten

    A goal, an assist and hit the post – De Bruyne was magnificent as he conducted the City attack.

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  • 18/22 Fernandinho - 7 out of ten

    Fernandinho won the midfield battle, working tirelessly as usual.

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  • 19/22 David Silva - 8 out of ten

    He and De Bruyne worked in tandem to terrorise the United defence for the opening 43 minutes and then played well on the break from then on.

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  • 20/22 Raheem Sterling - 5 out of ten

    Started the season in blistering fashion but barely featured for City despite their first half dominance.

    Reuters

  • 21/22 Kelechi Iheanacho - 8 out of ten

    In the right place at the right time for his goal but beat Bailly in the air brilliantly to set up De Bruyne for the opener.

    Getty

  • 22/22 Nolito - 6 out of ten

    Was always a handful for Valencia as he drifted inside from the left to create space for Kolarov and De Bruyne.

    Getty

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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