A vicious teenage gang walked off laughing after they battered a man unconscious near the National Football Museum.

The five boys and two girls left their victim passed out with a broken cheekbone in Cathedral Gardens in Manchester city centre.

The shocking assault took place at around 10.20pm on Friday, May 15.

The teenagers approached a man and knocked him to the ground, before kicking him in the head and body on the floor until he fell unconscious.

As they walked off, the group laughed, police said.

The victim was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary where he was treated for a broken right cheek bone and a cut to his right eye, as well as some bruising and swelling. After being kept in overnight for observation, he was discharged the following day.

The offenders, who were all wearing dark clothing, are described as white and in their mid to late teens. Five of them were male and the other two were female.

Det Con Christian Avery, of GMP’s North Manchester Division, said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack in which a man was knocked unconscious before being punched and kicked in the head as he lay helpless on the ground. Thankfully, the man is recovering and we want to catch whoever did this as soon as possible. I’m urging anyone who witnessed the attack to please come forward. “

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3111/0161 856 3522 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.