A TAXI driver was hit in the face and had his cab stolen in an horrific attack.

Police are working on the theory that two Manchester United fans were involved after the cab was hailed close to the Reds' home ground at Old Traffod soon after last Wednesday night's Champions League game.

The 35-year-old cab driver took the two men to Atherton. But after the first passenger got out at around 10.30pm outside the Rope and Anchor pub in Bolton Old Road, the remaining customer suddenly attacked the driver.

The other passenger, who was sitting in the back, had got out and walked off in the direction of High Street.

The driver was struck in the face with a full can of beer, gashing his lip and nose. Fearing further attack he got out of the vehicle, at which point the attacker got into the driver's seat and sped off.

The black Volkswagen Passat, registration Y821 AAB, has yet to be recovered. The driver, who works for the New Moon private hire company in Stretford, needed first aid.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery and issued descriptions of both men, although they say that the passenger who left before the incident may well have nothing to do with it.

The robber was white, about 6ft tall and of hefty build, aged between 25 and 30 years. He was clean shaven, wearing a gold bracelet and he spoke with a North West accent. The other passenger was white, aged 25 to 30, about 5ft 9ins tall, of medium build, wearing a white T-shirt with a pattern, blue jeans and white trainers. He too had a North West accent.

Sgt Dave Lamb of the Wigan and Leigh operational policing unit said: "This was a nasty attack on the driver and we want to speak to anyone with information about it. The man who got out first may have absolutely nothing to do with this incident but we still need him to come forward."

Police say it is possible the men had been to the Manchester United match beforehand.

Anyone with information should contact Leigh CID on (0161) 856 7252 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.