Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has filed a high-value legal claim against his former club, alleging negligent medical advice related to an injury sustained during his final season at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old defender, who recently signed with Burnley, submitted the claim to the High Court last week. According to sources close to the matter, the case is linked to a period beginning in July 2022 and is valued at more than £1 million. Specific details of the injury in question have not been disclosed publicly.
Tuanzebe was sidelined for 195 days during the 2022-23 season with Manchester United. After limited opportunities, he was loaned to Stoke City in January 2023, where he made just five appearances before returning and eventually being released by United. He later joined Ipswich Town as a free agent in September 2023.
Having joined Manchester United at the age of eight, Tuanzebe was a standout in the club’s youth system. He captained United at every youth level and made his senior debut in 2017.
Over the span of his career at the club, he made 37 senior appearances. His final outing came in the 2021 UEFA Europa League final against Villarreal, where he scored in the penalty shootout that ended in an 11-10 loss.
Internationally, Tuanzebe previously represented England at the Under-21 level before switching allegiance to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he now competes at the senior international level.
Tuanzebe’s career has included multiple loan stints, notably three spells at Aston Villa and a brief period at Serie A club Napoli in 2022. His recent move to Burnley marks a fresh chapter following a challenging run with injuries and limited game time.
Both Manchester United and Tuanzebe’s legal representatives, Simons Muirhead Burton, declined to comment when approached by BBC Sport regarding the legal action.
The lawsuit adds to the ongoing scrutiny of medical practices within top-tier football clubs, raising questions about how injuries are managed and the long-term impact on players’ careers.
The outcome of Tuanzebe’s claim could set a significant precedent if the court finds in his favour, potentially influencing how clubs approach injury treatment and medical liability in the future.
As the legal process unfolds, Tuanzebe remains focused on rebuilding his career at Burnley, aiming to return to consistent form and fitness after years of injury setbacks.
