Former academy defender takes high court action against Manchester United
DR Congo international debuted in 2017 and left the club for Ipswich in 2023
27-year-old suffered many lengthy injuries including hip, foot and thumb issues
By NATHAN JOHNS
Published: 08:20 EDT, 14 July 2025 | Updated: 08:20 EDT, 14 July 2025
A former Manchester United player is suing the club for alleged 'clinical negligence' in relation to the 'medical advice' given to him during his time at Old Trafford.
According to The Telegraph, Axel Tuanzebe, a 27-year-old defender who came through the Man United academy, has lodged a claim with the High Court.
The Democratic Republic of Congo international made 37 appearances for United in an injury-ridden spell at Old Trafford.
He made his senior debut in January 2017 and left the club in September 2023, joining Ipswich and helping them in their promotion to the Premier League.
He had joined United at the age of eight. He represented England at youth level before making his DR Congo debut in 2024.
While on the books at United, Tuanzebe had loan spells at Aston Villa, Napoli and Stoke City.
Axel Tuanzebe is suing Manchester United for 'clinical negligence' after his spell at the club
A number of loan spells while at United saw Tuanzebe play for Aston Villa, Napoli and Stoke
Axel Tuanzebe was part of Ipswich's promotion to the Premier League before joining Burnley
He made 45 appearances in two seasons for Ipswich before joining Burnley on a free transfer last month.
During his time at Old Trafford, Tuanzebe had a number of injury issues, including a season-ending problem picked up in December 2019 when playing against Colchester in that year's Carabao Cup.
A foot problem ruled him out of the start of the next campaign while he also missed the first half of the 2022-23 season.
In October, he suffered a bizarre issue when cutting his thumb when doing the washing up.
He needed surgery to save the thumb after doing damage to tendons.
Lawyers for Tuanzebe declined to comment on the proceedings when asked by The Telegraph. They also approached Manchester United for comment.
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