A chef is fighting for his life after he was stabbed three times in a Rusholme takeaway.

The 25-year-old was knifed in the stomach, shoulder and head in front of shocked staff at the Rusholme Chippy on Wilmslow Road on Friday morning.

The attacker fled leaving the victim bleeding heavily near the entrance of the shop, prompting a huge police manhunt around Rusholme.

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This evening the victim - named locally as Showkat Khan - is said to be in a critical condition at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

He had only been working at the takeaway for a week when he was attacked.

Staff inside the chippy say the attacker calmly walked into the premises at about 10.20am.

He asked for the chef who came to the front of the shop and they began what appeared to be a normal conversation between friends.

The attacker is then said to have pulled out a large knife and stabbed Mr Khan three times, in the abdomen, head and shoulder.

The owner of the chippy, Osama Chamoun, didn’t witness the attack itself but said he saw the victim as he was being carried into an ambulance.

“I saw him and his face was covered in blood,” said Mr Chamoun, 39.

“He’s very poorly,” he added, detailing a very serious stomach injury.

His staff, who are now helping police with their investigation, reported that the attacker had been ‘talking normally’ with the chef moments before he launched the attack, according to Mr Chamoun.

(Image: Eddie Garvey)

The owner said there was a huge amount of blood on the floor of the shop after the attack.

“I feel very badly about this. We don’t feel secure. They have to catch this guy,” he continued.

The chippy and several streets off Wilmlsow Road, including Walmer Street, were cordoned off as police attempted to lock down a large area of Rusholme in their search for both evidence and the knifeman.

Forensics experts could be seen working in and around the shop while Tactical Aid Unit officers and sniffer dogs searched the surrounding area.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the attack to call GMP on 101 quoting reference number 629 of 30/09/16 or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.