Man Utd Faces £1m Lawsuit Over Axel Tuanzebe Spinal Injury

Manchester United finds itself at the center of a major legal dispute, as former defender Axel Tuanzebe files a £1 million lawsuit alleging mishandling of a serious spinal injury that may have altered the course of his football career.

Axel Tuanzebe’s Legal Action Against Manchester United

Axel Tuanzebe, once hailed as a Manchester United academy prodigy, has initiated legal proceedings against the club in London’s High Court. The claim centers on what Tuanzebe and his legal team describe as clinical negligence in the treatment of stress fractures in his spine. At just 27 years old, the Burnley center-back asserts that improper medical management left him unable to play “without restriction or impediment,” dramatically affecting both his career growth and earning potential.

The lawsuit alleges that Manchester United failed to provide “appropriate treatment plans” after discovering a pars fracture in Tuanzebe’s spine in early 2020. According to the submitted documents, this oversight prevented the injury from healing correctly, resulting in persistent pain and further spinal damage.

Manchester United’s Alleged Clinical Negligence: The Injury Timeline

Tuanzebe’s troubles began in January 2020, when a left-sided pars fracture was identified following a hamstring issue. But, as his legal filing points out, Manchester United did not refer him to a specialist spinal surgeon or prescribe the recommended 12 weeks of rest. Instead, Tuanzebe resumed playing at Premier League 2 level within months, allegedly aggravating the injury.

By July 2022, the injury had progressed into chronic, bilateral grade 4 fractures, severely limiting Tuanzebe’s ability to play at his peak. The lawsuit claims that had the club taken the correct medical steps, the chronic progression and subsequent right-sided fracture “would have been avoided altogether.”

Medical Oversights and Missed Opportunities

Court documents highlight multiple lapses in Tuanzebe’s care. The defender was allowed to train and play as normal from February to March 2020, despite needing urgent rest and specialist intervention. This, the lawsuit asserts, led to “more serious symptoms” than if he had been properly diagnosed and managed. The claim further alleges that then-club doctor Dr. Steve McNally failed to show urgency when Tuanzebe was experiencing pain during a loan spell at Napoli, instead minimizing its seriousness.

Tuanzebe’s Career: From United Hopeful to Injury Struggles

Born in DR Congo and raised in Greater Manchester, Tuanzebe joined United’s academy as a child and quickly rose through the ranks, captaining the U18 side and earning accolades such as Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year. After making his senior debut in 2017, Tuanzebe’s promise was clear. However, successive loans, interrupted by recurring injuries, kept him from securing a regular first-team role.

Despite a contract renewal in 2019 and brief moments of leadership—including captaining Manchester United in a Carabao Cup tie—Tuanzebe’s career trajectory changed after the spinal injury. Eventually released in 2023, he moved through loan spells at Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stoke City before joining Ipswich Town, and then signing with Burnley for the 2025-26 campaign.

The Financial Impact of the Spinal Injury

The lawsuit seeks more than £1 million in compensation for lost career earnings, asserting that the neurological and physical limitations caused by United’s alleged negligence have “impacted his career and earnings.” While Tuanzebe has managed to return to Premier League action with Burnley—starting the last five games after missing the season’s first six—his ability to play at the highest level remains compromised.

Wider Implications for Premier League Clubs

Tuanzebe’s legal battle could set a significant precedent in player care and duty of care standards across Premier League clubs. With the focus on clinical negligence, the case underscores the importance of thorough injury assessment and specialist referrals for footballers facing complex health issues.

For those following the latest developments in football law, this case highlights the ongoing evolution of player welfare and club responsibility. Visit for more news on major legal and sports stories worldwide.

Opinion: Clubs Must Prioritize Player Health

Tuanzebe’s situation is a sobering reminder that even elite footballers can see their careers derailed by inadequate medical intervention. While clubs compete fiercely on the pitch, their long-term reputations—and the futures of their players—hinge on proper health management. If Manchester United is found liable, it should serve as a wake-up call for all teams to invest in world-class medical oversight and never compromise on player welfare.