A man who was viciously beaten with a crowbar in the North End says he is still trying to process what happened to him and his friend on Friday.

On Thursday night, 22-year-old Mitchell Robertson got ready for bed and went to sleep. He wanted to get a good night's rest before heading to work at McDonald's for 7 a.m.

Shortly after midnight, Robertson was suddenly woken by a loud noise coming from the living room. He remembers it sounded like people fighting.

"It started to get really intense, so I ran into the room and asked what was going on. One guy just came at me," said Robertson.

I can see the imprints of the crowbar on my chest. - Mitchell Robertson

All of a sudden, a man started beating him repeatedly with a crowbar. All Robertson remembers is two men demanding he hand something over. He said he didn't know what they were talking about.

When Robertson asked what they were looking for, the men continued to beat him with a crowbar and slashed his face with what he said was a knife.

"It felt like it all happened within five minutes," said Robertson. "Then, all of a sudden, they left when they heard the police were coming."

Robertson's friend, who was also in the house at the time, was stabbed numerous times.

Broken fingers, shattered jaw

After a few minutes, Robertson managed to pick himself off the blood-covered floor and walk over to the neighbour's house on Charles Street to get help. Police arrived minutes later, Robertson said, and he was taken to hospital and rushed into surgery.

Mitchell Robertson is recovering in a Winnipeg hospital with serious injuries following an attack in the North End Friday morning. (Submitted )

"I was told I have broken fingers, a shattered jaw, fractured ribs, a concussion and 13 staples across my head," Robertson said. "I can see the imprints of the crowbar on my chest."

Robertson's friend suffered severe head trauma and was placed on a ventilator Friday and is slowly recovering. The two friends are supposed to remain in hospital for the next few weeks, Robertson said.

Despite the terrifying ordeal, Robertson said he's happy no one else was hurt.

"I'm glad it was me and not someone else. [It] could have been kids or something," Robertson said, adding he and his friend don't know the two men who broke into the house.

As of Friday, no arrests had been made and Winnipeg police wouldn't confirm whether or not what happened was a home invasion.

Robertson had plans to finish his teacher assistant program this fall and start a practicum this February, but those plans have been put on hold.

"I think that's what hurts the most," Robertson said, fighting back tears. "I just wanted to finish school and help kids."

Robertson will have reconstructive surgery on his face Monday. He's hoping that is the last of his surgeries. For now, Robertson said he is just happy to be alive and surrounded by his family.