Manchester United have been drawn into a £1million lawsuit by former player Axel Tuanzebe after details of alleged “mishandling” of an injury have emerged.
The Burnley defender, 27, has initiated legal proceedings against his previous club, seeking compensation for alleged clinical negligence related to spinal injury treatment.
The Congolese international claims the Red Devils’ medical handling of his injury has left him unable to compete without physical limitations.
He claims this has significantly affected his professional trajectory and potential income.
Court documents filed at London’s High Court reveal unprecedented allegations against the Premier League giants.
Tuanzebe asserts that inadequate medical care during his time at Old Trafford resulted in lasting damage that continues to impact his playing ability.
The legal action centres on stress fractures affecting the footballer’s spine.
Court papers indicate Tuanzebe first suffered a left-sided pars fracture in January 2020.
Manchester United have been drawn into a £1million lawsuit by former defender Axel Tuanzebe
|
GETTYAccording to the lawsuit, this initial injury deteriorated into a chronic condition by July 2022, when the player also developed similar damage on the right side of his spine.
The filing states: “Appropriate treatment plans would, on the balance of probabilities, have resulted in the claimant avoiding the pain and discomfort set out below and would have resulted in him being able to play professional football at elite level without restriction or impediment.”
“As it is, although he continues to play at an elite level, this has impacted his career and earnings.”
The defender reportedly continues to experience substantial pain and discomfort from these spinal issues.
Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has launched legal proceedings
|
PATuanzebe’s legal representatives alleged that Manchester United’s medical staff neglected to conduct thorough investigations into his pars fractures, failed to ensure sufficient recovery time, and failed to refer him to a specialist sports spinal surgeon when the initial fracture occurred.
The lawsuit further alleges: “It is the claimant’s case that the defendant negligently failed to properly investigate the claimant’s pars fractures, failed to rest the claimant and failed to refer him to a specialist sports spinal surgeon.”
According to the court documents, these alleged failures led to the player’s condition deteriorating into bilateral grade 4 fractures.
The legal filing maintains that proper rest periods would have prevented the left-sided fracture from becoming chronic and completely avoided the subsequent right-sided injury.
Axel Tuanzebe’s time at Man United was marred by injuries | PATuanzebe spent 17 years at Manchester United after joining their academy at the age of eight, progressing through the youth ranks to make 37 first-team appearances.
The centre back, who captained United in a Carabao Cup match at 21, departed Old Trafford in 2023 following loan spells at Aston Villa, Napoli and Stoke City.
After two years with Ipswich Town, he signed for Burnley on a free transfer this summer and has started their last five Premier League matches.
United have declined to provide any statement regarding the legal proceedings when approached by media outlets.
