Nawajid Ali Khan, a takeaway chef, was yesterday described by friends as a "gentle person" as police reassured residents his murder was not gang related.

Mr Khan, who is thought to have been living in Darnall, died after being mown down by a 4x4 as he was being attacked outside Milan's takeaway in Chesterfield Road, Heeley, on Sunday.

The attack, at around 3.45pm, happened just 15 minutes before the FA Cup match between Sheffield United and Manchester City kicked off at United's home ground on Bramall Lane - just a few streets away.

Chief Superintendent Jon House said football fans in the area shortly before the match may have seen the attackers just before they struck.

Speaking at the murder scene, Chief Supt House said: "Witnesses have told us that a group of males approached Mr Khan and committed a sustained attack on him outside Milan's takeaway, and as a result of the attack he died a short time later.

"We know from a number of lines of enquiry this is not a gang related incident. We believe that Mr Khan was subjected to a targeted attack and at this stage we are keeping an open mind as to the motive.

"We have had a good response from the public but we want to speak to anyone who may have been in the area just before the kick off of the Sheffield United versus Manchester City match who may have seen these men."

Friends said they were shocked and angered by 31-year-old Nawajid's death.

Mazhar Iqbal, owner of the Mangla restaurant on Spital Hill, said Nawajid had been a second chef in the kitchens there for six years before moving to Milan's.

Friends said Nawajid was originally from Pakistan. He and his wife - the mother of his two young daughters - had split up.

Police yesterday arrested two women aged 28 and 23 on suspicion of murder.

A post mortem examination confirmed Mr Khan died from multiple injuries.

Witnesses say he was run over by a Vauxhall Frontera which was then abandoned at the scene.

Click on the green icon above to see footage of yesterday's police press conference.