Shocking lawsuit: Tuanzebe sues Manchester United for medical negligence

In a surprising turn of events, former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has filed a clinical negligence lawsuit against his previous club. The 27-year-old, who spent 17 years coming through the ranks at Old Trafford before departing in 2023, lodged the claim on July 9th. The lawsuit specifically links to "medical advice" he received during his tenure with the Red Devils.

Tuanzebe emerged from Manchester United's esteemed youth academy, making 37 appearances for the first team before his contract expired, leading to his move to Ipswich Town in 2023. However, his time at United was significantly hampered by a string of persistent injuries, which began with a notable hip injury suffered during a warm-up ahead of a fixture against Liverpool in 2019.

His injury woes continued that same year when he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining another injury in a Carabao Cup victory over Colchester United in December. The following campaign saw him miss its start due to a foot injury, and he endured another lengthy spell on the sidelines at the beginning of the 2022/23 season. He didn't return to training until January of that year, after which he joined Stoke City on loan.

Despite the chronic injury struggles that plagued his career at United, Tuanzebe found renewed form and fitness after joining Ipswich. He went on to make more than 40 appearances for the club, establishing himself as their first-choice right-back and playing a key role in their promotion to the Premier League during the 2023/24 season.

The DR Congo international recently made another move, joining Burnley last month on a free transfer. This move came after he opted to turn down an offer of a new deal from Ipswich.

Both Manchester United and representatives for Axel Tuanzebe have declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings. The lawsuit brings to light the hidden struggles of professional athletes and the intricate relationship between players and their club's medical departments.