London, November 12, 2025 – In a startling development that underscores the high-stakes world of professional football medical care, former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has formally lodged a High Court lawsuit against his boyhood club, seeking damages exceeding £1 million for what he claims was clinical negligence in treating a debilitating spinal injury. The 27-year-old, now a key player for Premier League rivals Burnley, alleges that Manchester United's failure to promptly diagnose and manage stress fractures in his lower spine has left him with chronic pain, restricted mobility, and a stunted career trajectory that has cost him significant earnings potential. Court documents, obtained by Sky News and reviewed by multiple outlets, paint a picture of a young talent whose promising path was derailed by what the suit describes as "negligent" oversight from one of football's most resource-rich institutions.
Tuanzebe's legal action, filed in July 2025 but only now entering the public eye with detailed revelations, centers on pars fractures—stress injuries at the back of the spine that are notoriously common among elite athletes due to the repetitive torsional forces of the sport. According to the British Association of Spine Surgeons, these fractures can be career-threatening if not addressed early, as they risk progressing from acute to chronic stages without adequate rest and specialist intervention. The lawsuit contends that Tuanzebe first sustained a left-sided pars fracture in January 2020, following a season-ending injury during a Carabao Cup match against Colchester United in December 2019. Despite ongoing symptoms, the club allegedly dismissed the issue as minor "disc irritation or change in posture mechanics," opting for physiotherapy over a referral to a specialist sports spinal surgeon—a decision that, per the claim, would have prescribed at least 12 weeks of enforced rest to allow natural healing.
The legal filing, submitted to London's High Court, accuses Manchester United of a cascade of failures from January 2020 to January 2022: inadequate investigation of the initial fracture, insufficient rest periods, and a lack of regular medical monitoring during training and matches. By July 2022, the left-sided fracture had allegedly deteriorated into a bilateral grade 4 condition—meaning both sides of the spine were affected, with the right side developing a new fracture entirely. "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," the documents state, emphasizing that these oversights led to "significant pain and discomfort" that persists to this day. Tuanzebe, a Congolese international, now reports being unable to train or compete "without restriction or impediment," a limitation that the suit argues has directly hampered his ability to secure higher-profile contracts and endorsements at the peak of his career.
Born in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo, but raised in England, Tuanzebe's journey with Manchester United reads like a classic academy success story turned cautionary tale. Joining the Red Devils at just eight years old in 2006, he spent 17 formative years at Carrington, honing his skills as a composed, ball-playing center-back. His youth career was illustrious: capped by England at various underage levels, he captained the under-17s and made 38 appearances for the under-21s, drawing comparisons to club legends like Rio Ferdinand for his poise under pressure. Tuanzebe's senior breakthrough came in January 2017 under Jose Mourinho, with a debut cameo in an FA Cup tie against Reading. Over the next six seasons, he accumulated 37 first-team outings, including notable loans to Aston Villa and Napoli that showcased his versatility and tactical intelligence.
However, injuries plagued his tenure at Old Trafford. The 2019-2020 campaign, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, saw him emerge as a reliable squad option amid a defensive injury crisis, starting seven Premier League games. Yet, the Colchester clash—where he limped off with what was initially termed a "knock"—marked the beginning of his spinal woes. Returning prematurely, Tuanzebe featured sporadically in 2020-2021 but missed much of the following season. By 2022, with his contract expiring, United opted not to trigger a one-year extension, allowing him to depart as a free agent despite his evident potential. Post-United, Tuanzebe rebuilt at Ipswich Town in League One, where his leadership helped secure promotion in 2023-2024. This summer, he returned to the top flight with Burnley on a free transfer, reuniting with manager Scott Parker and forming a solid partnership at the back. As of November 2025, Burnley sit mid-table, with Tuanzebe logging over 1,000 Premier League minutes this season—proof of his resilience, but also a stark reminder of the "elite level" play he claims could have been unrestricted without United's alleged lapses.
The lawsuit's broader implications ripple beyond Tuanzebe's personal grievance. In an era where Premier League clubs invest millions in state-of-the-art medical facilities—Manchester United's alone boasts cryotherapy chambers, hydrotherapy pools, and a team of over 20 physiotherapists—this case raises uncomfortable questions about accountability. Football's grueling schedule, with up to 60 games per season plus international duties, amplifies injury risks, yet player welfare has come under intense scrutiny following high-profile burnout cases like those of Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Tuanzebe's suit argues that United's medical staff, including consultant Gary O'Driscoll, prioritized short-term availability over long-term health, a pattern echoed in fan discussions where supporters recall United's history of rushing players back during the post-Ferguson turbulence. "Manchester United around that time frame seemed to constantly rush players back from injury," one observer noted, reflecting a sentiment that this isn't an isolated incident.
Financially, the stakes are immense. Tuanzebe seeks compensation not just for pain and suffering but for lost wages—potentially multimillion-pound deals with top clubs like those he might have commanded as a 27-year-old prime-age defender. Legal experts suggest the initial £1 million claim is a conservative baseline; similar cases, such as former Tottenham player Michel Vorm's settlement over a shoulder injury, have exceeded £5 million. "In reality, I suspect Axel Tuanzebe’s lawyers will be seeking much, much more," speculated one legal analyst, highlighting how court filings often understate true demands to allow negotiation room. Manchester United, under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS oversight since 2024, has declined to comment, citing ongoing proceedings—a standard response that leaves the club bracing for potential reputational damage amid their own on-pitch struggles.
Tuanzebe's international career adds another layer. Switching allegiance to DR Congo in 2022 after England youth caps, he has earned nine senior caps, including at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Yet, persistent back issues have limited his call-ups, with coach Sébastien Desabre citing fitness concerns. "Axel is a warrior, but we need him at 100%," Desabre said in a recent interview, unwittingly echoing the lawsuit's core claim.
As the case progresses—likely to trial in 2026 unless settled out of court—this lawsuit could catalyze reforms in football's medical protocols. The Premier League's Player Welfare Group, formed in 2023, already mandates enhanced injury reporting, but Tuanzebe's bold stand may push for mandatory specialist referrals in stress fracture cases. For now, the defender continues to lace up for Burnley, embodying quiet defiance. "Football is my life," he posted on Instagram last month, a subtle nod to the battle off the pitch that threatens to define his legacy as much as his on-field elegance.
In the end, this isn't just about one player's pain; it's a reckoning for an industry that demands superhuman durability from its stars. Whether United's deep pockets lead to a swift settlement or a protracted fight, Tuanzebe's voice has amplified a conversation long overdue: at what cost do we chase glory?
