Axel Tuanzebe looked set to make a big breakthrough at Manchester United, but his career was hampered by injury, but he still managed to qualify for the Premier League with Burnley.
Axel Tuanzebe came through the academy at Old Trafford and was once tipped by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be Manchester United’s future captain.
But the player is now suing United, reportedly seeking £1 million in damages for the damage he caused to his career. Tuanzebe, who currently plays for Burnley, insists United are responsible for medical issues that continue to affect his career.
The defender has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, and in July it was revealed that Tuanzebe was taking legal action against United for alleged “clinical negligence”.
Tuanzebe’s story with United began many years ago during his academy days, with the talented defender making his first-team debut at the age of 19 in an FA Cup tie against Wigan. He ended up extending his contract a few days later. The youngster was already captain of the academy team and won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award before being named Denzil Harrone’s Reserve Team Player of the Year.
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Things were going well for him the following season, when he made his Champions League debut and was then given the chance to prove himself with a loan move to Aston Villa. This was made a tougher effort as he only played five games due to injury and struggled to get minutes due to the form of John Terry and James Chester.
But the Midlands side must have seen something they liked too. He returned the following season with even greater success, eventually playing 90 minutes in the play-off final win over Derby. Tuanzebe was able to learn from Terry, who moved into a coaching role.
“I have a good relationship with John,” he told manutd.com. “He helps me a lot every day and continually gives me advice on how to improve my game.”
He returned to United that season with a real breakthrough opportunity. When he won against Rochdale in September 2019, the 21-year-old became United’s youngest captain since Norman Whiteside in 1985.
Tuanzebe looked like he could become a regular starter, but his progress was hampered by an initial hip injury, followed by a season-ending hamstring injury and a preseason ankle injury that sidelined him for 10 months.
Tuanzebe quickly attracted praise for his impressive performance in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, and went on to become a regular in the Europa League, making 19 appearances in the Premier League. Even in this role, his leadership was outstanding.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer identified him as a future captain of the club. The Norwegian coach had full confidence in his command.
“Axel is a developing captain and a leader, so why not give that to the young lads?” Solskjaer told talkSPORT in 2020. “How is he coping? He was totally fine and was having fun. It’s a way of telling him that we believe in him.”
Harry Maguire said in 2021: “We have a lot of leaders in our dressing room. We have a lot of senior professionals. And you don’t have to be a senior professional to be a leader. Axel is a leader in the way he works and speaks in the dressing room.”
“And he’s still a young kid, still learning his trade. I’m sure he’s going to have an incredible career.”
However, Tuanzebe’s progress did not continue at Old Trafford, with him splitting the 2021-22 season between Aston Villa and Napoli. Injuries ended Erik ten Hag’s chances of success as he played in only 13 games that season.
A final loan to Stoke City marked the end of his United career, but fitness issues prevented his stay.
However, Ipswich Town and former Manchester United manager Kieran McKenna were willing to give Tuanzebe a chance on a one-year deal. Tractor Boys coach McKenna said: “We want to strengthen him in a smart way and get him back to his best condition. If we can do that, we feel we have a very valuable asset for the team.”
It took the defender until the second half of the season to establish himself in the team, but he was instrumental in the team’s promotion to the Premier League. The defender’s contract was extended and Tuanzebe played 22 league games, despite requiring surgery to save his thumb following a dishwashing accident.
Ipswich were unable to stay, but Tuanzebe remained in the Premier League after completing a free transfer to Burnley. Tuanzebe played 90 minutes in the Clarets’ last five top-flight games under manager Scott Parker after missing the start of the season.
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