Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has launched a High Court lawsuit against his old club, seeking damages in excess of £1 million for the alleged mishandling of a serious back injury.
The 27-year-old, who now plays for Burnley and has made seven Premier League appearances this season, claims the club's negligence means he can no longer play football 'without pain or impediment'.
The Core of the Legal Claim
The legal case, filed in London's High Court, centres on clinical negligence relating to stress fractures in Tuanzebe's spine. The defender suffered an initial left-sided pars fracture in January 2020.
According to the lawsuit, Manchester United negligently failed to properly investigate these fractures, failed to ensure he had adequate rest, and did not refer him to a specialist sports spinal surgeon.
The legal documents state: 'As a result, the claimant’s symptoms significantly progressed to bilateral grade 4 fractures, and he developed a left-sided chronic spinal fracture.'
Impact on Career and Earnings
Tuanzebe's claim argues that with an appropriate treatment plan and rest, his initial fracture would not have become a chronic condition, and a subsequent right-sided fracture would have been completely avoided. This proper care was not implemented until April 2023.
The lawsuit adds that although he continues to play at an elite level, the ongoing issue has impacted his career and earnings. Loan spells at clubs including Napoli and Stoke City were also affected by the persistent pain.
This legal action comes despite a warm public send-off from Manchester United when his contract ended in 2023, in which the club described him as a 'fine character' and a 'credit to himself and his family'.
After two seasons with Ipswich Town, Tuanzebe signed for Burnley in the summer of 2025, stating it was a 'new chapter' and that he was ready to continue his journey.
