Officers said they received reports of a "man and woman shouting for help" at about 2.30pm on Friday.

Three men in "masks and balaclavas" were seen leaving an address in Velour Close in Salford.

One of the men who was attacked has since had surgery on a "life-changing injury", Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

A crime scene remains in place and "CSI are continuing their forensic assessment of the property".

The woman and the other man have been discharged from hospital.

"Police have been following various lines of enquiry and are now turning to the community to see if they are able to assist with the investigation," GMP said.

Detective Chief Inspector Yanica Weir said it appeared to have been an "isolated, targeted and unprovoked attack", in which "three men in masks and balaclavas were seen leaving the address on Velour Close following the attack".

House-to-house enquiries are being carried out and CCTV is being scoured.

Also in Greater Manchester, in a separate incident, a man was driven at deliberately in Eccles and pinned between the vehicle and a wooden post, police said.

The victim has "serious injuries to his legs which required surgery".

GMP were called at about 12.55pm on Saturday to the incident on Higher Croft.

It was a "clearly targeted attack, in which a vehicle was used as a weapon", DCI Weir said.

The car is believed to be a silver/grey Volkswagen, either a Polo or a Golf.

Officers are appealing for CCTV, doorbell, dashcam or mobile phone video.