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Why Axel Tuanzebe is Suing Man Utd as Details of Lawsuit Emerge

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Details of former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe’s lawsuit against his ex-employers over medical issues have been released.

Reports emerged earlier in the year that Tuanzebe was suing United over claims of “clinical negligence”, with the Carrington academy graduate alleging that he suffered “poor medical advice” during his time at Old Trafford, which was blighted by injury.

Now, according to reports from Sky News, the Burnley defender blames United for no longer being able to play “without restriction or impediment”, and that this has potentially impacted his career and subsequent earnings.

Tuanzebe, who left United in 2023 after 17 years and 37 senior appearances, is seeking damages “in excess of £1m” as the details of his lengthy lawsuit against the Old Trafford outfit come to light.

Details of Tuanzebe’s Lawsuit Against Manchester United

Axel Tuanzebe

Tuanzebe’s lawsuit case against United encompasses several issues, but centres around a stress fracture on his spine, with the Congolese defender alleging that he suffered a left-sided pars fracture in January 2020, which subsequently became chronic by July 2022 and also led to a right-sided pars fracture.

As quoted by Sky News, his lawsuit states:

“Appropriate treatment plans would, on the balance of probabilities, have resulted in the claimant avoiding the pain and discomfort set out below and would have resulted in him being able to play professional football at elite level without restriction or impediment.

“As it is, although he continues to play at an elite level, this has impacted his career and earnings.”

Additionally, Tuanzebe’s case claims that United “negligently failed to properly investigate the claimant’s pars fractures, failed to rest the claimant and failed to refer him to a specialist sports spinal surgeon.”

A pars fracture was found, which is common amongst footballers given the spinal stress they suffer from repeatedly performing high-intensity movements.

However, Tuanzebe’s lawsuit claims that if he had been “appropriately rested, his left-sided pars fracture would not have developed into a chronic condition and the right-sided fracture would have been avoided altogether.”

The lawsuit adds that the Red Devils “failed to refer him to a specialist sports spinal surgeon” in January 2020, and that he returned to action prematurely the following March, rather than taking the advised three months of rest to allow his fracture to appropriately heal.

Tuanzebe was in action for United by March 2020 in the Premier League Two, and even went on to perform admirably against Kylian Mbappé and PSG in the Champions League in the following October, before informing the Red Devils’ medical team in December 2020 that he was suffering pain with his hamstring.

Therefore, Tuanzebe’s lawsuit claims that “he suffered more serious symptoms than he would have if he had been diagnosed promptly and treated appropriately with rest”, by playing as normal up to March 2020.

On the matter, the lawsuit claims that an “appropriate treatment plan” for the injury was only implemented three years later in April 2023.

Had the treatment plan been in place at the time, the lawsuit states that it would “on the balance of probabilities, have resulted in the claimant avoiding the pain and discomfort set out below and would have resulted in him being able to play professional football at elite level without restriction or impediment. Although he continues to play at an elite level, this has impacted his career and earnings.”

In the 2022 January window, Tuanzebe was sent out on loan to Italian giants Napoli, but would feature only twice for the Serie A side due to continued injury struggles.

The defender’s lower back pain saw Napoli send him for further scans, but Tuanzebe’s lawsuit alleges that United’s then-senior club doctor, Dr Steve McNally, “indicated no urgency” for him to return to England for further examinations.

Despite Napoli’s club doctor indicating the potential of a fracture, Dr McNally is alleged that he did not believe that would “cause his current pain”, and Tuanzebe was subsequently recommended pain relief injections in March 2022.

Amid the following pre-season, further scans and medical reports in August 2022 showed a stress fracture of Tuanzebe’s spin, and the defender was released by the Red Devils the following summer after his loan spell at Stoke City.

The lawsuit adds: “By allowing the claimant to return to training and playing, including an intense strength and conditioning and running programme following 17 August 2022, this has caused him to suffer more serious symptoms than he would have if he had been diagnosed promptly and treated appropriately with rest.”

Tuanzebe joined Ipswich Town ahead of the 2023/24 Championship campaign, and made 44 outings in two seasons with the Tractor Boys, before returning to the Premier League for this season with newly-promoted Burnley.

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Tottenham Want to Sign Eli Kroupi Junior After Fernandes and Tonali

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Tottenham Hotspur have been the busiest team in the summer transfer window so far and they do not show any sign of slowing down.

Spurs have already confirmed four completed deals, with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson arriving on free transfers. They also spent big on signing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton in a £52million deal.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has set out his stall to revitalise the ailing squad that he inherited at the end of March and the Spurs owners have backed their new boss with signings he has asked for.

Midfield duo set to arrive in north London

Sandro Tonali via Reuters

A fifth signing is imminent, with Tottenham having agreed a deal with West Ham to sign Mateus Fernandes after winning the race with Manchester United. Fernandes will become Spurs’ new record signing in a deal worth £85million.

Spurs are still in talks with Newcastle United over a deal to sign Sandro Tonali, with an initial £80million bid rejected by the Magpies. Should they manage to negotiate a fee, it is likely the Italian would then break the transfer record once more.

Tonali’s arrival would add major strength to the midfield department, which has already been boosted by Fernandes’ signing. And having bolstered his defence and goalkeeping department, all that would seemingly remain for De Zerbi would be to upgrade his forward line.

There are a number of players who will be like new signings for the Italian, with Dejan Kulusevski having not featured at all last season and Mohammed Kudus yet to play under De Zerbi.

But there are likely to be new figures arriving in that department too. Richarlison could leave if the right offer comes in for him, while the likes of Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert will remain sidelined for the start of the campaign, which leaves Spurs a little light.

Spurs turn attention to forward signing

AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates

GIVEMESPORT understands Tottenham will look at the market for a new No.9 this summer and Eli Kroupi Junior has emerged as a potential candidate to arrive in north London, according to Spurs insider Paul O’Keefe.

The Bournemouth striker broke the Premier League record last season for the number of goals scored by a teenager in a season, taking the mantel from Robbie Keane and Robbie Fowler before him.

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In his first season in the English top flight, the now 20-year-old notched 13 goals in 33 appearances, although nine of those goals came in the 21 starts he was handed by then boss Andoni Iraola.

Kroupi has plenty of admirers, with Arsenal and Chelsea both also understood to be keen on signing him this summer, but as Spurs attentions turn to their forward line, the Bournemouth star is in their sights, although they will have to spend big once more to sign him, with the Cherries demanding between £80million and £100million to sell him this summer.

The forward has been described as a ‘phenomenon’ and likened in style to Kylian Mbappe by Tiemoue Bakayoko.


Roberto De Zerbi | Tottenham


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Tottenham are working on multiple deals.

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Arsenal Eye West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville as Morgan Rogers Price Tag Soars

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Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move to sign Morgan Rogers in the summer transfer window, but due to his hefty price tag, they might want to consider exploring alternatives.

Rogers is a player who is attracting plenty of interest in the summer, which is no surprise after his impressive performances with Villa.

The England international has kicked on massively since his move to Villa Park from Middlesbrough, quickly becoming a key figure for the Midlands club and England.

Due to his performance levels and the fact that the market is heavily inflated at the moment, Villa are reportedly demanding in the region of £130m for Rogers to depart.

Whether this is out of reach for Arsenal remains to be seen, but they do appear to have serious interest in the forward.


Mikel Arteta


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Arsenal are busy in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal Eyeing Alternative Target

Morgan Rogers Caean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

According to reports, an alternative target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window is West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville.

The Dutch international, who has been representing the Netherlands at the World Cup, is believed to be valued in the region of £50m following West Ham’s relegation.

Summerville would, of course, be significantly cheaper than Rogers, so it would certainly make more sense financially.

The West Ham winger, described as ‘elite’, is destined to return to the Premier League during the summer transfer window, and there is no doubt there will be clubs lining up to secure his signature in the coming weeks and months.

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Summerville Better Signing Than Rogers

Crysencio Summerville

Taking everything into account, Summerville would be a better signing than Rogers for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

The Dutch international is naturally a left-sided attacker, which is the position that Arsenal desperately need to strengthen.

The Gunners currently have Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli for the left-sided position, but neither of them have nailed down a starting role in the side.

Rogers is more of a number 10 who is capable of playing on the left-hand side.

Arsenal will need to bring in a player who specialises in playing off the left, and considering he costs £80m more than Rogers, it would be a smarter move to secure the West Ham winger’s signature this summer.

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Liverpool Eyeing Summer Move for Wolves Midfielder Mateus Mane

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Liverpool could now look to reignite their interest in a young talent as they aim to reinforce Andoni Iraola’s squad in the summer transfer window.

If Liverpool want their new manager to be successful, then there’s no doubt they need to bring in reinforcements over the coming weeks.

It is, however, incredibly important that their recruitment improves after Arne Slot struggled following a busy summer transfer window last year.

Some of their new additions have struggled to hit the ground running, which is forcing the Reds back into the market.

Liverpool also need to replace some of their outgoing stars, with Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah all leaving on free transfers.

It could be another busy window for the Merseyside club.


Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola


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Liverpool Eyeing Young Talent

Andoni Iraola gives thumbs-up after Bournemouth Premier League game REUTERS/Peter Powell

According to reports, Liverpool are one of the sides once again showing an interest in signing Wolves midfielder Mateus Mane in the summer transfer window.

The Reds are yet to submit an official approach, while Wolves value him in the region of £35m.

Liverpool face strong competition for his signature, including from three Premier League clubs, while Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt are also keen on the young talent.

Wolves are determined to keep hold of Mane, described as ‘special’, heading into the new season, despite them being relegated from the Premier League last term.

Whether the stance changes if a big offer arrives on the table remains to be seen.

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Mane Tipped to Become One of the Best

Mateus Mane

Mane enjoyed a phenomenal breakout season with Wolves despite them being relegated from the Premier League.

Former Wolves manager Vitor Pereira was full of praise for the 18-year-old during his time at the club, tipping him to become “one of the best players not just at our club, but in this league.”

Mane took on a lot of responsibility last season, and it takes a big personality to be able to shine in a side struggling so much in the Premier League.

As it stands, he looks set to be dropping down a league to the Championship. At the age of 18, there’s certainly no shame in plying your trade in the second tier.

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