Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has launched a significant legal battle against his former club, seeking over £1 million in damages for alleged medical negligence that he claims has severely impacted his football career.
The Legal Battle Details
The 27-year-old Congolese international has officially filed a lawsuit at the High Court in London, alleging that Manchester United failed to provide proper medical care for his back injury, leading to chronic problems that continue to affect his performance on the field.
Tuanzebe, who now plays for Burnley after leaving United at the end of the 2022/23 season, claims the club's medical staff did not handle his stress fracture appropriately when it first occurred in January 2020. The legal documents state that United "negligently failed to properly investigate the claimant's pars fractures" and did not refer him to a specialist sports spinal surgeon when needed.
Medical Negligence Allegations
The case centers around stress fractures at the back of Tuanzebe's spine, which he initially sustained in January 2020. According to the lawsuit, these fractures had become chronic by July 2022 due to inadequate treatment and management by United's medical team.
Tuanzebe alleges that appropriate treatment would have allowed him to play professional football "without restriction or impediment" at an elite level. Instead, he claims he continues to experience significant pain and discomfort during matches and training sessions.
The legal filing argues: "Had the claimant been appropriately rested, his left-sided pars fracture would not have developed into a chronic condition, and the right-sided fracture would have been avoided altogether."
Career Impact and Compensation
Tuanzebe spent an impressive 17 years at Manchester United, having joined the club's academy as an eight-year-old. He made 37 first-team appearances for the Red Devils before his departure. After his contract expired, he spent two years with Ipswich before joining Burnley in the summer.
The lawsuit emphasizes that the alleged medical negligence has not only caused physical suffering but has also significantly impacted his earning potential as a professional footballer. Tuanzebe expects to recover damages exceeding £1,000,000 to compensate for both his physical suffering and career limitations.
This case highlights the growing concern about medical care in professional sports and could set an important precedent for how football clubs handle player injuries in the future.
