Axel Tuanzebe files £1 million lawsuit against Manchester United
Manchester United is facing a £1 million lawsuit from former player Axel Tuanzebe, following allegations of “mishandling” an injury, reports BritPanorama.
The 27-year-old Burnley defender has initiated legal action against his former club, claiming compensation for alleged clinical negligence related to spinal injury treatment. According to the lawsuit, Tuanzebe contends that the club’s inadequate medical handling has left him competing with ongoing physical limitations.
In legal documents submitted to London’s High Court, Tuanzebe asserts that the medical care he received at Old Trafford led to lasting damage that continues to detrimentally affect his playing ability. The focal point of the legal action concerns stress fractures that have impacted his spine. He first sustained a left-sided pars fracture in January 2020, with the condition later worsening.
Further details reveal that by July 2022, the initial injury had developed into a chronic condition, with additional damage occurring on the right side of his spine. The court 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.”
Despite Tuanzebe continuing to play, the ongoing spinal issues reportedly cause him substantial pain and discomfort, significantly affecting his career and earning potential. Concerns raised in the lawsuit include the failure of the club’s medical staff to conduct thorough investigations into his injuries and a lack of appropriate recovery time. The filing argues that these oversights led to his condition worsening into bilateral grade 4 fractures, which he believes could have been avoided with proper medical attention.
Tuanzebe spent 17 years at Manchester United, having joined the academy at the age of eight. He made 37 first-team appearances and captained the team in a Carabao Cup match at age 21, before leaving Old Trafford in 2023 following loans to Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stoke City. After two years with Ipswich Town, he signed with Burnley this summer and has started their last five Premier League matches. As for Manchester United, they have declined to comment on the legal proceedings when approached by media outlets.
In a landscape where athletes rely increasingly on medical professionals for their well-being, Tuanzebe’s case stands as a stark reminder of the intersection between health care and professional sport. The repercussions of this lawsuit could resonate beyond just one player’s experience, challenging the standards of medical accountability within football.
