The surgeon has been the saviour for some of the most famous names in sport, many of whom credit him for rescuing their careers from being ended by serious injury.
Alan Shearer visited Steadman twice in 2001, in the small town of Vail, when suffering from numerous knee problems, and a photograph hangs in his office from the former United captain with the message; “Just when I was getting frustrated with the pain, you took it away. Many, many thanks”.
Ruud van Nistlerooy, Alessandro Del Piero, Michael Owen, Ronaldo, along with former tennis star Martin Navratilova, have all been clients.
Taylor had hoped he was only weeks away from a possible first-team return before his right knee crumpled beneath him a week ago during a training session when there was nobody near him.