LONDON (AP) -A former member of Manchester United's youth squad was awarded $8.2 million by a court Monday over a tackle that ended his career.

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Ben Collett had an ``outstanding chance'' to succeed in soccer, according to United manager Alex Ferguson, but never returned after a 2003 tackle by Middlesbrough's Gary Smith that broke his right leg in two places during a reserve match.

Middlesbrough and Smith admitted liability for the ``negligent'' tackle and Collett, who is now 23, was awarded the damages by London's High Court. The amount will be paid by the Premier League club's insurers.

``This is good news for a young man who appeared to have an excellent career in front of him,'' said Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association. ``But it also sends out a message to everyone about the duty of care they have to their opponents.''