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John Fitzpatrick, Manchester United's first EVER league substitute in 1965, dies aged 74 after the former defender battled with dementia as the club pay tribute to the history maker

John Fitzpatrick, who died on Monday at the age of 74, will go down in history as the first substitute ever used by Manchester United in a league match.

In fact, only six of Fitzpatrick's 147 appearances for United in the 60s and early 70s came off the bench.

Born in Aberdeen, Fitzpatrick was an uncompromising player who was equally comfortable in defence or midfield. He came through the club's youth system with his close friend George Best, winning the FA Youth Cup together in 1964.

John Fitzpatrick, Manchester United's first ever league substitute, has died at the age of 74

The Scotsman went into the record books the following season when he replaced Denis Law in a 5-1 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane in October 1965.