In a surprising development, former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has initiated legal proceedings against the Premier League club, alleging "clinical negligence" related to medical advice he received during his injury-plagued tenure at Old Trafford. The 27-year-old, now playing for Burnley, has lodged a claim at the High Court, seeking over £1 million in damages, according to The Telegraph.
A Promising Career Marred by Injuries
Tuanzebe, a product of Manchester United’s renowned academy, joined the club at the age of eight and rose through the ranks, captaining the team at every youth level. His senior debut came in January 2017 under manager José Mourinho, but his career at Old Trafford was repeatedly derailed by injuries. Over six-and-a-half years, he made just 37 appearances for the Red Devils, a stark contrast to the potential he displayed as a versatile defender capable of playing both centre-back and right-back.
The defender’s injury troubles began notably in October 2019, when he suffered a hip injury during the warm-up for a Premier League match against Liverpool. This was followed by a season-ending injury in a December 2019 Carabao Cup tie against Colchester United. Further setbacks, including a foot injury and a prolonged absence in the 2022-23 season, limited his playing time and led to loan spells at Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stoke City. Tuanzebe was sidelined for 195 days in his final season at United before joining Stoke on loan in January 2023, where he made only five appearances.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Axel Tuanzebe is now seeking legal recourse, linked to ‘medical advice’ he received during his time at Old Trafford
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) July 14, 2025
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Details of the Lawsuit
According to The Telegraph, Tuanzebe’s legal claim centers on allegations of “clinical negligence” tied to the medical advice provided by Manchester United’s staff, particularly during a critical injury period around July 2022. While specific details of the claim remain undisclosed, the lawsuit suggests that the medical guidance Tuanzebe received may have exacerbated his injury issues or hindered his recovery, potentially impacting his career trajectory. Reports indicate that neither Tuanzebe’s legal team, Simons Muirhead Burton, nor Manchester United have commented publicly on the case, leaving much of the specifics shrouded in mystery.
Tuanzebe’s Career Post-United
After leaving Manchester United in 2023, Tuanzebe found stability at Ipswich Town, where he made over 40 appearances and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League in the 2023-24 season. However, his time at Ipswich was not without incident; in October 2024, he required surgery after a freak thumb injury sustained while washing dishes, sidelining him for four matches. Following Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League, Tuanzebe opted not to renew his contract and instead signed a short-term deal with Burnley in June 2025, joining the newly promoted side until the end of the season.
Now representing the Democratic Republic of Congo internationally after switching from England’s youth teams, Tuanzebe has shown resilience in rebuilding his career. His move to Burnley offers a fresh start in the Premier League, but the ongoing lawsuit against his former club casts a shadow over his journey.
