Tuanzebe Sues Manchester United, Alleges Poor Medical Care Damaged His Career

Former Manchester United defender, Axel Tuanzebe, who currently plays for Burnley, has filed a £1 million lawsuit against his former club, accusing them of “clinical negligence” in the medical treatment he received during his time at Old Trafford.

According to court documents cited by Sky News on Tuesday, Tuanzebe claims that injuries sustained while at Manchester United have left him unable to play football “without restriction or impediment.” The 26-year-old reportedly seeks damages exceeding £1 million if the case is successful.

The legal action centres on a stress fracture of the lower spine—known as a left-sided pars fracture—first diagnosed in January 2020, which allegedly caused the player severe pain. A similar fracture on the right side in July 2022 was also referenced in the claim. Tuanzebe and his lawyers argue that the club failed to provide sufficient rest and neglected to refer him to a specialist spinal surgeon.

The court filings assert that Manchester United’s medical team “failed to properly investigate” his injuries, resulting in the fractures worsening to “bilateral grade 4” and causing a chronic spinal condition. The documents further claim that with proper rest and specialist intervention, Tuanzebe could have avoided long-term damage and maintained peak performance at the elite level.

A graduate of Manchester United’s academy, Tuanzebe joined the club at the age of eight and made his senior debut in 2017. His progress, however, was hampered by recurring injuries before his departure in 2023 after 17 years at the club.

Manchester United has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.