Man United starlet awarded £4.3million after tackle that destroyed his career

Ben Collett, now 23, was awarded the sum - said to be a record - after a court heard how his right leg was broken in two places in May 2003.

He had joined Manchester United's youth academy at the age of nine and was in the club's FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2003.

'Negligent' tackle: Ben Collett broke his right leg when he was tackled by Middlesbrough FC's Gary Smith

Potential: Ben Collett was hailed as the next Ryan Giggs

Football pundits likened his playing ability to Welsh winger Ryan Giggs and tipped him to become a household name.

But in his first game for United's reserve team, he was tackled by Middlesbrough FC's Gary Smith.

The injury in May 2003, when he was 18, stopped him being offered a three-year contract with the club and the potential to earn millions of pounds in match fees and merchandising deals.

The sum was awarded after the High Court in London was told Mr Collett could have earned more than £13,000 a week, making him more than £16million, if he had played until the age of 35.

Both Mr Smith and Middlesbrough Football Club admitted liability at London's High Court yesterday. Mr Smith now plays for Brentford.

The hearing decided how much Mr Collett, who is now a student, would receive from Middlesbrough's insurers for loss of future earnings.

Another hearing in October will decide on a sum for loss of pension and interest on money he would have earned if had carried on playing.

Mrs Justice Swift said that when all of the figures were decided, the final sum to be awarded was not likely to be less than £4.5million.

She added in her ruling: 'I found him a most impressive young man.

'He was plainly intelligent and it is clear that he has brought - and will in the future bring - to his academic studies the same dedication and commitment that he formerly applied to football.'

She said that Mr Collett's 'positive attitude towards his injury and to the devastating blow of being unable to pursue his chosen career does him great credit'.

Mr Collett's solicitor Jan Levinson said the award 'reflects Ben's talent and potential prior to the tackle as one of the brightest young footballers in the country'.

'Having said that, Ben would have preferred to have earned this through a full career in the game.'

Mr Levinson added: 'The judgment announced today is the highest award ever given to a professional sportsman or sportswoman.

'Thankfully, injuries of this severity are not a common occurrence on the football or any sporting pitch, so I do not see this successful claim opening the floodgates to litigious action by sportsmen.'

Manchester United manager Sir Alex and club captain Gary Neville gave evidence of Mr Collett's talent at an earlier hearing.

Sir Alex told Manchester High Court: 'I thought the boy showed fantastic focus, a great attitude to work hard and they are qualities to give any player an outstanding chance in the game.'

Sir Alex said Manchester United had been built around young sides from the time of Sir Matt Busby in the 1950s.

He said Mr Collett had played in the FA Youth Cup-winning side - as in previous years had other club academy players including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville.

Mr Collett is hoping to attend Leeds University to study for an English degree next month.

Mrs Justice Swift awarded him £3,854,328 for future loss of earnings. The figure for general damages for pain and suffering, loss of amenity and loss of congenial employment was £35,000. He received £ 456,095 for past loss of earnings.

'Fantastic focus': Collett played in the FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2003