Axel Tuanzebe has lodged a legal complaint against Manchester United alleging “medical negligence”, with the claim by the club’s former defender relating to an injury sustained in or after July 2022.
A submission entitled “Tuanzebe v Manchester United Football Club Limited” was registered last Wednesday at the high court, with the case type described as “Clinical Negligence – Part 7 Claim – Medical Advice”. The claim is understood to relate to an injury in his final year at the club.
Tuanzebe, who joined Burnley this month on a free transfer, endured an injury-disrupted six years at United after his debut in a 4-0 FA Cup win over West Ham in January 2017, before leaving for Ipswich in the summer of 2023.
The defender made only 37 United appearances, with injuries limiting his opportunities, though he also had three loans at Aston Villa and one spel at each of Napoli and Stoke.
In September 2019 he became United’s youngest captain since 1985 when Ole Gunnar Solskjær gave him the armband for a Carabao Cup third-round tie against Rochdale. It meant that Tuanzebe, who joined United aged eight, had captained the club at every level.
When contacted by the Guardian, United declined to comment.
Darren Fletcher, meanwhile, has been appointed lead coach of United’s Under-18s. The Scot returned to the club in 2021, having been there as a player for 20 years, and has had roles including technical director and a coach with the first team.
Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, said: “He knows exactly what it takes to be a successful academy graduate and has played a key role in shaping the pathway for so many of our young players in recent years.”
