New Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has attempted to distance himself from interest in Manchester United duo Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.
After over three years away from the dugout, Solskjaer has been appointed as the new boss of the Turkish giants in a bid to kick-start their campaign.
While Besiktas are currently preparing for Europa League action against Athletic Bilbao, it is improving the club's current sixth place in the Super Lig table that is the Norwegian's priority.
Solskjaer has arrived at the Tupras Stadium with only a short amount of time remaining before the closing of the January transfer window, it natural for Besiktas to be linked with an array of notable names.
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Will Solskjaer target Man United players?
Having spent 168 matches in charge of United between December 2018 and November 2021, Solskjaer could look at what players are available at the Theatre of Dreams.
Casemiro and Rashford are both out of favour under recently-appointed head coach Ruben Amorim, with a loan arrangement theoretically suiting all concerned.
Nevertheless, speaking to Asist Analiz, Solskjaer has played down the possibility of one of the aforementioned pair moving to Besiktas.
He said: "I've come from Manchester United, so there will be transfer news like this. Casemiro and Rashford are very good players, but I haven't had any contact with them."
Solskjaer added: "I enjoyed my time at Manchester United. That chapter is closed. I'm looking forward to working at Besiktas now."
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How high can Solskjaer aim?
Having also only finished in sixth place in the standings during 2023-24, Besiktas are currently not viewed on the same level as fierce rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Although the likes of veteran forward Ciro Immobile has delivered 10 goals in the league, other high-profile names have under-performed and the squad is in need of freshening up.
Of the players that are still at United from Solskjaer's reign, Victor Lindelof and Rashford are the only realistic options that he could explore.
Luke Shaw could also potentially enter the conversation if United are able to sign a new fresh face for their left wing-back spot.
Darren Plant
