Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer issued a firm response when asked if he would sign Marcus Rashford and Casemiro at his new club Besiktas.
Solskjaer, 51, has signed an 18-month deal with the Turkish side, taking up his first managerial job since departing United in 2021.
Of course, the former United striker replaced Jose Mourinho initially as interim boss at United in December 2018 before penning a three-year deal at the club the following March.
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He led the Red Devils to a second-place finish in the Premier League and reached the 2020/21 Europa League final, which United lost on penalties against Villarreal.
The Norwegian then parted company with the club in November 2021. The 51-year-old will be hoping to rekindle his managerial career in Turkey, with his new side currently sitting sixth in the Super Lig.
He will take charge of his first match as manager of the Istanbul-based outfit on Wednesday evening when they will play host to Athletic Club in the Europa League.
And as ever with new managers, one of the first questions he was asked was about the potential for new signings.
When speaking with Asist Analiz, he revealed whether he would consider potentially signing United players Casemiro, 32, and Rashford, 27, as the pair are seemingly out of favour with Ruben Amorim.
“I’ve come from Manchester United, so there will be transfer news like this,” explained Solskjaer. “Casemiro and Rashford are very good players, but I haven’t had any contact with them.
“I enjoyed my time at Manchester United. That chapter is closed. I’m looking forward to working at Besiktas now. The Bilbao game will be tough, but we are ready.”
Of course, the Norwegian previously worked with Rashford during his time at United but did not hold back in his assessment of the 27-year-old when speaking to FourFourTwo last year.
"Obviously I managed Marcus for three years and I know him,” he said. “It's not my job to go out and discuss his performances, but last season [2023/23] he was fantastic and it's about consistency in football. Marcus and many others haven't hit the heights this season. I'm sure he had a wake-up call recently and hopefully, that will spur him on."
Both Casemiro and Rashford have been linked with a move away from United, with Brazilian outlet UOL suggesting that Saudi Arabian sides Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, Al Ettifaq and Al Qadsiyah are all 'showing interest' in former Real Madrid midfielder. While Rashford has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, with Spanish outlet Football Espana claiming that 'talks' are taking place in Lisbon, where Barca face Benfica on Tuesday evening.
Topics: Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Besiktas, Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Transfers, Europa League
Luke Davies