Why Axel Tuanzebe, former academy star, seeks over £1million from his old club.
Axel Tuanzebe, once hailed as one of Manchester United’s brightest homegrown prospects, is suing the club for alleged medical negligence. The 27-year-old defender, now with Burnley, has filed a high-value legal claim in the High Court, accusing United of giving him improper medical advice that allegedly prolonged his injury struggles and derailed a key stage of his career.
Axel Tuanzebe: What we know about the lawsuit
The case relates to treatment Tuanzebe received from United’s medical team starting around July 2022. Though the specific nature of the injury hasn’t been revealed, it was serious enough to keep him out for more than six months. During that period, Tuanzebe struggled with his fitness and form, eventually being sent out on loan to Stoke City in January 2023 — where he played just five times.
The footballer is reportedly seeking a claim worth over £1 million. Neither Tuanzebe’s legal team nor Manchester United has made a public comment on the case yet.
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How it started: From academy captain to injury setbacks
Tuanzebe’s connection with Manchester United goes back to when he joined the club’s academy at age eight. Known for his leadership qualities, he captained United at every youth level and made his senior debut in 2017. But his career at the top level was constantly interrupted by injury.
His issues began in October 2019, when he suffered a hip injury during the warm-up before a game against Liverpool. Later that year, he was injured again in a Carabao Cup match against Colchester. He missed large parts of the following seasons with foot and muscle injuries, and by the start of the 2022–23 campaign, he had once again been sidelined.
Tuanzebe didn’t return to training until January 2023 and was quickly loaned to Stoke. After leaving United in summer 2023, he joined Ipswich Town, where he had a relatively successful run — until a freak kitchen accident required surgery on his thumb.
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Why Alex Tuanzebe’s case matters
The legal dispute is about more than just one injury. Tuanzebe’s lawyers are expected to argue that Manchester United’s medical handling contributed to long-term physical and career setbacks during what should have been the peak years of his development as a professional footballer.
If proven, the case could prompt questions about how elite clubs manage player injuries and the medical responsibilities they carry.
