United kid wins £4.5m after shock court ruling

Collett broke both bones in his right leg after a challenge by Middlesbrough's Gary Smith in May 2003 which saw his dream career at Old Trafford ended at the age of just 18.

Middlesbrough FC and Smith both admitted liability through their insurers for the "negligent" tackle and he was awarded damages at London's High Court.

Both Sir Alex Ferguson and Gary Neville had spoken at a hearing last month to insist Collett would have had a successful career but for the injury.

Collett's barrister, Richard Hartley, believes the case now sets a precedent that should be a warning for all players and clubs from the Premier League to park football.

He said: "The ramifications are wide ranging and will have an impact on football in this country at all levels.

"Clubs at both amateur and professional standing will need to examine carefully their third-party insurance liability cover as cases like this will inevitably become more commonplace.

"Individual professionals - even many Premier League stars - have cover which is inadequate, particularly in the light of today's judgment.

"This is a landmark judgment and, while a lot will be made of the figure involved, it would be churlish to lose site of what Ben Collett lost, for he clearly would have been a leading professional sportsman making the sort of money top stars enjoy."

The 23-year-old's payout beats the sum given to another former Manchester United player Michael Appleton, who received over £1.5m after a negligent operation by a surgeon.