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

Axel Tuanzebe spinal injury headlines a £1m lawsuit against Manchester United, with the former defender alleging clinical negligence that derailed his football career. The case has brought renewed scrutiny to player welfare and club medical protocols in the Premier League.

Axel Tuanzebe Spinal Injury Sparks Legal Action

Axel Tuanzebe’s spinal injury, suffered in early 2020, is now at the center of a landmark legal battle. The ex-Manchester United academy standout and current Burnley player has accused his former club of failing to appropriately treat stress fractures in his back. Tuanzebe, who is just 27, claims this negligence left him unable to play at his full potential, causing significant loss to his career earnings.

Details of the lawsuit, revealed by Sky News, state that Tuanzebe is seeking over £1 million in compensation from Manchester United. The claim alleges that the club’s medical staff misinterpreted a crucial MRI scan and neglected to refer Tuanzebe to a specialist for proper treatment. Instead of the recommended 12 weeks of rest, Tuanzebe was permitted to resume training and playing, which allegedly aggravated his condition into chronic bilateral grade 4 fractures.

Clinical Negligence Allegations Against Manchester United

According to court filings, Tuanzebe’s advisors assert that Manchester United’s failure to investigate and treat his pars fractures adequately resulted in irreversible damage. The documents highlight the lack of urgency from United’s former club doctor, Dr. Steve McNally, who reportedly dismissed Tuanzebe’s complaints during his loan spell at Napoli. Tuanzebe claims that if he had received appropriate care, he would have avoided chronic pain and continued his progression as a Premier League regular.

Career Impact and Lost Potential

Born in DR Congo and raised in Manchester, Tuanzebe joined United’s ranks at eight years old, quickly emerging as one of the club’s brightest prospects. He won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2015 and was the first first-year scholar since Gary Neville to captain the Under-18s. Tuanzebe made his senior debut in 2017, and by 21, had captained the side in a Carabao Cup tie.

Yet, successive injuries and lack of playing time hampered his career, limiting Tuanzebe to just 142 appearances by age 27. After loans at Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stoke City, and a stint at Ipswich Town, he joined Burnley on a free transfer. The spinal injury in 2020 marked a turning point, sidelining him for crucial periods and stalling his development at the elite level.

Medical Oversight and MRI Scan Controversy

Central to Tuanzebe’s spinal injury claim is the controversy surrounding his MRI scan from 2020. The scan revealed a left-sided pars fracture, yet Tuanzebe was not referred to a specialist sports spinal surgeon. The lawsuit argues that United’s decision to let him play for the Premier League 2 team within months exacerbated his injury, causing more severe and chronic symptoms.

The player’s legal team insists that proper rest and specialist attention would have prevented the bilateral grade 4 fractures and allowed Tuanzebe to maintain his elite football career. Instead, continuous training and matches worsened his spinal condition, limiting his ability to perform without restriction.

Recent Career Developments at Burnley

After missing Burnley’s first six Premier League matches of the 2025-26 season due to injury recovery, Tuanzebe has started the last five games, seeking to restore his reputation as a dependable top-flight defender. The outcome of his legal case could have profound implications for both his career and Manchester United’s medical protocols.

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Opinion: Shining a Light on Player Welfare

Axel Tuanzebe’s case underscores the critical importance of medical diligence and player welfare in professional football. Clubs have a duty to protect their athletes, not only for immediate performance but for long-term health and future prospects. While the legal outcome remains uncertain, this lawsuit will likely prompt Premier League clubs to re-evaluate their medical processes and ensure that player well-being is at the forefront of decision-making.