Ex-Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe sues club over medical advice

Axel Tuanzebe has launched legal action against Manchester United, alleging the club provided negligent medical advice during his time there.

The 27-year-old defender, who recently signed for Burnley, filed the claim in the High Court last week.

The case centres on an unspecified injury dating back to July 2022 and is reportedly considered a high-value claim, understood to exceed £1 million.

Tuanzebe endured a prolonged period on the sidelines during the 2022-23 season, missing 195 days through injury before securing a loan move to Stoke City in January 2023, where he managed just five appearances.

Tuanzebe, who joined United’s academy at the age of eight, made his senior debut in 2017 and went on to feature 37 times for the club.

He captained United at every youth level and his final appearance came in the 2021 Europa League final against Villarreal.

Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe is suing the club for alleged negligent medical advice. pic.twitter.com/L03jr72x4T

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 14, 2025

That dramatic match ended in an 11-10 penalty shootout defeat, in which Tuanzebe successfully converted his spot-kick.

Following his release from Manchester United in the summer of 2023, he joined Ipswich Town as a free agent before securing a move to Burnley earlier this month.

Alongside his spells at United, Tuanzebe also spent time on loan at Aston Villa—across three separate stints—and had a brief spell at Napoli in 2022.

Though he previously represented England at under-21 level, Tuanzebe now plays internationally for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Both Manchester United and Tuanzebe’s legal representatives, Simons Muirhead Burton, declined to comment.