Injured footballer awarded £4.5m

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But the compensation to be received by 23-year-old Collett will be even greater when sums for future loss of pension and interest on past loss of earnings are determined at a hearing set for October.

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

At a recent hearing in Manchester, Sir Alex said Collett had an "outstanding chance" of becoming a full-time professional if he had not been injured.

Collett, 23, joined United's youth academy aged nine and signed youth contracts, becoming part of the club's FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2003.

But, aged 18 and in his first game in the reserves in May 2003, he had his right leg broken in two places in a tackle by Middlesbrough FC's Gary Smith.

Both Smith and the club admitted liability for the "negligent" tackle and the judge's task was to decide on the level of compensation that Collett should receive from Middlesbrough's insurers.

Mrs Justice Swift said she had found that had it not been for the injury Collett would have been offered, in July 2003, a three-year professional contract with Manchester United.

Collett was unable to forge a career in the professional game after the injury and is now studying.

Sir Alex told Manchester High Court during the earlier hearing: "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."