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Claim: A Facebook user claims Ratcliffe will replace Onana with a Serie A player.
Verdict: False. Although in a recent BBC interview, Ratcliffe referred to some Man United players, including Onana, Casemiro, and Hojlund, as “not good enough” and “overpaid,” there are no credible reports that the British billionaire intends to replace the former Inter Milan keeper. Man United has not officially affirmed the Facebook claimant’s post.
Full Text
Andre Onana was at his A-game that night at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, when his former Serie A side, Internazionale Milano, encountered Premier League leaders Manchester City in the 2022/2023 Champions League final. Although he failed to carry the evening’s coveted prize, the Champions League Cup, the Cameroonian became the potential target to replace David de Gea at Manchester United when the Spaniard’s contract ended in June 2023.
Soon after Man United signed him for £47.2 million and Onana took the reins as the club’s first-choice keeper, he received more criticism than praise from the public. Onana’s rather silly errors cost the Red Devils the beginning of an unwanted exit in the Champions League three months after starting a role at Old Trafford. He was not included in last weekend’s game against Newcastle after he committed blunders in the Europa League first-leg semifinal against Lyon on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Amidst these self-orchestrated ordeals experienced by the former Inter Milan goalkeeper, a Facebook user, M Mount, claims Man United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe intends to replace Andre Onana with a Seria A goalkeeper.
He wrote, “BREAKING NEWS: Sad News For Onana As Man United Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is Replacing Him With Serie A Finest Goalkeeper after a series of mistakes during the match against Lyon.”
He further mentioned that the alleged new goalkeeper would cost Man United £45 million.
DUBAWA observed that as of Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Facebook post had generated 666 likes and nine shares.
Other Facebook users seemed to agree with the British billionaire’s alleged decision to whisk Onana away from the 13-time Premier League-winning club.
“Onana is not good,” Andrew Joseph wrote.
“He is the worst goalkeeper we ever have,” Itz Junior commented.
“He must go,” Leader Keen Cassim reacted.
In light of recent events and the post’s sensitivity, DUBAWA decided to verify the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a Google keyword search for the alleged replacement but found no official news story or credible news outlet reporting such a development.
Man United has also not officially announced the 29-year-old’s replacement.
However, we came across an interview conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in March 2025. Ratcliffe expressed his sentiments about Man United’s status quo, including its operations, squad, finances, etc.
In the interview, the co-owner referenced some players— Onana, Carlos Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund— whose inefficiencies continue to linger as they were “inherited” and would still be part of Man United’s future. This means that despite the club purchasing the trio before Ratcliffe became a co-owner, he can do little to nothing since they still have more time in their contract agreement with Man United.
Although Ratcliffe evaluated them as “not good enough, and some probably overpaid,” the billionaire has not reportedly made any official statement that he was letting them go.
Meanwhile, Italian sports writer and popular football transfer informant Fabrizio Romano stated that before Onana’s move to England, the goalkeeper had attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, which still linger.
“For Andre Onana, there has been interest from the Saudi Pro League since he was at Inter (Milan),” Romano said.
“Now I can say that the interest from the Saudi Pro League is still there for Andre Onana. So, there are still clubs interested in the African goalkeeper, and there is still strong interest. So let’s see what happens at the end of the season,” the Italian sports writer stated.
Conclusion
The claim is false. No credible evidence from the club or reputable news outlets affirms the Facebook claim.
