Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 52-year-old man was attacked in the street.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said he was found unconscious in South Parade, Rochdale, at 01:30 BST.
The man later died in hospital. Police said his family were being supported by specialist officers.
Det Ch Insp Claire Brennan, whose force has appealed for any CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage, described what had happened as a “heart-breaking incident”.