Manchester United Faces £1m Lawsuit Over Axed Defender Axel Tuanzebe's Injured Career Claiming Medical Negligence.
The club is under fire from former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe who claims he suffered long-term pain and discomfort after being diagnosed with spinal stress fractures, a common issue for football players. The 27-year-old Congolese player, an academy graduate at United, left the club in 2023 after 17 years before joining Ipswich Town for two seasons.
United declined to comment on the lawsuit that has been brought by Tuanzebe claiming clinical negligence and alleging he suffered more serious symptoms than would have occurred if diagnosed promptly and treated with rest. He expects to recover damages in excess of £1,000,000, according to court documents.
Tuanzebe's case hinges on his experience after a suspected pars fracture was detected following an MRI scan in January 2020 following a hamstring injury suffered in December 2019 against Colchester. United was accused of failing to properly investigate the claimant's pars fractures and providing inappropriate treatment plans, which allegedly resulted in more severe symptoms developing.
The footballer now says that if he had received proper treatment, he would have avoided chronic pain and been able to play professional football without restriction or impediment. He also claims he developed bilateral grade 4 fractures, leading him to suffer ongoing discomfort since their development.
In January 2020, United failed to refer Tuanzebe to a specialist sports spinal surgeon who advised at least 12 weeks of rest, according to the lawsuit. Instead, he continued training and playing before returning to first-team action in October in the Champions League against French side Paris Saint-Germain.
It's also alleged that an appropriate treatment plan was only put in place three years later - in April 2023. United's senior club doctor is accused of downplaying Tuanzebe's symptoms, indicating no urgency for him to return home for examination and suggesting the pain could be resolved with physio rather than being serious.
Tuanzebe's case highlights concerns about medical negligence within a top football club following his experience after leaving United. The landmark lawsuit has shed light on the inner workings of Manchester United's medical care, an issue that was previously not reported.
The club is under fire from former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe who claims he suffered long-term pain and discomfort after being diagnosed with spinal stress fractures, a common issue for football players. The 27-year-old Congolese player, an academy graduate at United, left the club in 2023 after 17 years before joining Ipswich Town for two seasons.
United declined to comment on the lawsuit that has been brought by Tuanzebe claiming clinical negligence and alleging he suffered more serious symptoms than would have occurred if diagnosed promptly and treated with rest. He expects to recover damages in excess of £1,000,000, according to court documents.
Tuanzebe's case hinges on his experience after a suspected pars fracture was detected following an MRI scan in January 2020 following a hamstring injury suffered in December 2019 against Colchester. United was accused of failing to properly investigate the claimant's pars fractures and providing inappropriate treatment plans, which allegedly resulted in more severe symptoms developing.
The footballer now says that if he had received proper treatment, he would have avoided chronic pain and been able to play professional football without restriction or impediment. He also claims he developed bilateral grade 4 fractures, leading him to suffer ongoing discomfort since their development.
In January 2020, United failed to refer Tuanzebe to a specialist sports spinal surgeon who advised at least 12 weeks of rest, according to the lawsuit. Instead, he continued training and playing before returning to first-team action in October in the Champions League against French side Paris Saint-Germain.
It's also alleged that an appropriate treatment plan was only put in place three years later - in April 2023. United's senior club doctor is accused of downplaying Tuanzebe's symptoms, indicating no urgency for him to return home for examination and suggesting the pain could be resolved with physio rather than being serious.
Tuanzebe's case highlights concerns about medical negligence within a top football club following his experience after leaving United. The landmark lawsuit has shed light on the inner workings of Manchester United's medical care, an issue that was previously not reported.