A TEENAGER has been stabbed in the leg in Tonge Moor.

The 19-year-old was walking to work on a footpath near the railway bridge in Union Road when he was stabbed in the right thigh with a kitchen knife. 

The attacker had approached the teenager at about 7.20am yesterday, police say, before launching what they are describing as a "motiveless assault"

There had been no provocation for the attack and the man fled while still holding the weapon. 

The 19-year-old was treated in hospital for the stab wound, which was not life-threatening, and he has since been discharged.

He was left "shaken" by the incident, police say.

The offender is described as being white, about 5ft 9in tall, 25-26-years-old, of a slim build and with dark ginger hair and a big black beard with ginger at the tips.

He was of a pale complexion and wearing a black hooded top and dark blue jeans.

Det Con Victoria Henderson said: "Quite why this man stabbed the victim we don’t know.

"There appears to be no motive for what happened.

"The offender made comments which might suggest mistaken identity but at this stage we are treating this as a totally unprovoked attack.

"As you can imagine, the victim is very shaken as a result of his ordeal and the level of violence he was subjected to.

"Thankfully his injuries were not more severe.

"The incident took place on a footpath which many people use to commute to work, so there may be a lot of potential witnesses we need to speak to who could have vital information.

"I would urge anyone who does know anything to come forward.

"I would also like to reassure residents who may be anxious that we are doing everything in our power to establish the identity of the offender and arrest him."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5761 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.