Axel Tuanzebe sues Manchester United over alleged medical negligence

In the United Kingdom, former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe filed a legal claim against his previous club in July 2023, alleging negligent medical advice during his tenure at Old Trafford. The claim is linked to injuries he sustained while with the team, particularly involving hip and foot issues that sidelined him for 195 days in his final season. Consequently, Tuanzebe left the club in the summer of 2023 and later joined Ipswich Town as a free agent in September 2023 after a short loan to Stoke City earlier that year. The legal action taken by Tuanzebe is considered a high-value claim, reportedly exceeding £1 million. His lawyers, Simons Muirhead Burton, have filed the case in the High Court, emphasizing the significance of the injuries and the impact they had on his football career. During his six-year tenure at Manchester United, Tuanzebe made only a limited number of appearances for the first team, mainly due to recurrent injuries. He faced multiple spell on loan to clubs including Aston Villa and Napoli, while his final game for Manchester United was in the 2021 Europa League final against Villarreal. There, he participated in the match until his team lost in a penalty shootout, a deeply emotional moment for the player. After leaving United, he managed to have some success with Ipswich, where he managed to make over 40 appearances, but continued to struggle with injuries. Now, Tuanzebe has transitioned to Burnley following their promotion from the Championship. His legal dispute with Manchester United has gained attention, and both Tuanzebe's legal representatives and the club have opted not to comment at this stage. The outcome of this case may have significant implications not just for Tuanzebe, but also for the responsibilities and protocols surrounding medical advice provided to players by football clubs, shedding light on the complexities of sports medicine and its consequences on athletes' careers.