Wallwork had been enjoying a night out with his girlfriend

Manchester Crown Court heard Robert Rimmer, 21, knifed West Bromwich Albion's Ronnie Wallwork in a bar in Manchester in November 2006.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United player suffered cuts to his stomach, back and hand in the attack.

Rimmer, of Gorton, Manchester, denied a charge of attempted murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence.

Richard Vardon, prosecuting, said the footballer was with his girlfriend, Amy Broadbent, at the Sugar Lounge in Deansgate Locks when he was attacked by Rimmer, Miss Broadbent's jealous ex-partner.

The stabbing was motivated in large part by anger, by jealousy and by resentment Prosecutor Richard Vardon

The court was told there was "history" between the two men and that Mr Rimmer, a gym trainer, of Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton, had previously made threats to the footballer.

Mr Vardon said: "This was a serious attack where Rimmer had armed himself and used a knife.

"That stabbing, that attack, the prosecution say, was motivated in large part by anger, by jealousy and by resentment that Ronnie Wallwork had formed a relationship with a Miss Broadbent."

Mr Wallwork, now on loan at Huddersfield Town, had been stabbed several times and required emergency surgery.

Mr Rimmer went on trial for attempted murder on Thursday but less than five hours into the case pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of wounding with intent.

Charles Ebbrell, 27, of Hopkinson Avenue, Denton, Manchester, pleaded guilty to a charge of affray. He punched Wallwork on the night of the stabbing.

Pre-sentence reports on both men were ordered by the judge and the next hearing is on 21 December.