Former Defender Sues Manchester United Over Medical Negligence

Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe is suing the club for alleged clinical negligence related to medical advice received during his time at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old, whose injury-plagued Manchester United career ended when his contract expired two years ago, has filed a legal claim at the High Court, according to the Telegraph.

Tuanzebe joined Manchester United's academy at eight years old and captained the club at every youth level.

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He made his senior debut in January 2017, but managed only 37 appearances over the next six and a half years. Tuanzebe, who now plays for Burnley, had loan spells at Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stoke City during his time at Manchester United.

A series of injuries hampered his progress at Old Trafford, with his injury woes beginning with a hip problem suffered during the warm-up before a Premier League match against Liverpool in October 2019.

Axel Tuanzebe was then sidelined for the rest of that season after another injury in a Carabao Cup tie against Colchester United in December.

Further injuries, including a foot problem that delayed the start of the following season and another lengthy layoff at the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign, continued to plague Axel Tuanzebe. He eventually joined Stoke City on loan in January 2023.

After leaving Manchester United, Tuanzebe joined Ipswich Town, where he made over 40 appearances, primarily as a right-back, and helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League.

He even suffered a freak injury while doing the dishes, cutting his thumb and requiring surgery. This legal action comes two years after Manchester United publicly praised Axel Tuanzebe upon his departure, wishing him well in his future career and thanking him for representing the club 'with class and dignity.'

“His departure is an emotional one for the player and many at the club who have known and helped nurture him over the years. A fine character, he leaves United universally respected as a credit to himself and his family,” Manchester United said upon his departure.

“Everyone at the club would like to extend our best wishes to Axel as he embarks upon the next chapter of his career. We would also like to thank him for always representing Manchester United with class and dignity.”

This is not the first legal dispute involving Axel Tuanzebe and Manchester United. A separate, ongoing dispute involves an FA-licensed intermediary claiming unpaid compensation for facilitating Tuanzebe's loan move to Stoke City.

The intermediary has reportedly filed a complaint with the FA alleging a breach of agent regulations.