Axel Tuanzebe Files Lawsuit Against Former Club Manchester United Over Medical Treatment
Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has filed a lawsuit against the club, alleging he received negligent medical treatment during his time at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old, who recently signed with Burnley, submitted a substantial claim—reportedly worth over £1 million—to the High Court last week. The case centers around medical guidance he received beginning in July 2022, connected to an unspecified injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of his final season with United.
During that period, Tuanzebe was ruled out for 195 days due to injury, severely limiting his involvement with the team. In January 2023, he was sent on loan to Championship side Stoke City, where he featured in only five matches before the season concluded.
A long-serving member of the club, Tuanzebe joined Manchester United’s academy at the age of eight and progressed through the youth ranks with high promise. He made his senior debut in 2017 and amassed a total of 37 appearances for the first team before his contract expired in the summer of 2023. He subsequently joined Ipswich Town in September of that year, before making a move to Burnley earlier this month.
Throughout his development, Tuanzebe was considered one of the brightest prospects at United. He captained the team at every youth level and was part of the squad that reached the 2021 UEFA Europa League final. In that match—his final appearance for the Red Devils—he successfully converted a penalty in a dramatic shootout that ended in an 11–10 loss to Villarreal.
Internationally, Tuanzebe represented England at the Under-21 level but has since switched allegiance to the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflecting his family heritage.
His time at Manchester United also included three separate loan spells at Aston Villa, where he contributed to their promotion campaign, as well as a brief period with Italian side Napoli in early 2022.
Details of the legal complaint remain limited, and both Manchester United and Tuanzebe’s legal team, Simons Muirhead Burton, have declined to comment publicly on the matter, according to BBC Sport.
The case adds to the growing conversation around player welfare and the responsibility of clubs in providing adequate medical care. Should Tuanzebe’s claim be upheld, it could have broader implications for how injuries and treatment are handled within elite football environments.
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