Besiktas have confirmed that discussions are ongoing with former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about becoming the club’s new head coach. Solskjaer is closing in on his first managerial job since his emotional Old Trafford exit in November 2021 to fill the long-vacant position in Istanbul.
Besiktas have been without a head coach since sacking Giovanni van Bronckhorst two months ago but have made the Norwegian their top target.
Solskjaer may be tempted to look at his former employer for potential reinforcements this month.
Express Sport looks at four players the 51-year-old could lure to Besiktas to help United balance the books before the January transfer deadline.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford enjoyed some of his best form in a United shirt under Solskjaer’s watch, scoring 55 goals in 135 such appearances.
The 27-year-old forward’s Old Trafford career has since disintegrated, and he looks sure to depart this month. However, there isn’t currently an obvious destination.
AC Milan and Barcelona are reportedly leading the chase, but both clubs may have to offload a player before advancing their interest. The clock is ticking.
Turkish Super Lig clubs have showcased their ability to offer lucrative wages in recent years, so a short loan to reunite with his former boss could interest Rashford.
Antony
Solskjaer was reportedly interested in Antony when scouts valued him at £25million following trips to Ajax, but United initially weren’t willing to pay the Dutch giants’ higher valuation of north of £60m.
A year later, Erik ten Hag recruited the Brazilian winger for £86m, and he has since contributed so little that even his original valuation feels too kind.
But Antony looked a different player in a lesser division, and the Turkish top flight is inferior to the unforgiving Premier League.
-Several clubs are said to be interested in a loan deal for the 24-year-old this month, and Besiktas could enter the frame if Solskjaer’s interest remains.
Victor Lindelof
Victor Lindelof’s United career is stumbling to an underwhelming end amid an injury-hit final season before his contract expires.
However, when the Swede has been available, he has been rock-bottom of Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim’s centre-back pecking order.
January represents the final opportunity for United to generate a transfer fee for the Swede, who featured 129 times under the Norwegian, a tally only bettered by Rashford.
Solskjaer may want to start his project at Besiktas with a player he can trust at the foundation of his team.
Christian Eriksen
In February 2020, Denmark boss Age Hareide claimed that Solskjaer wanted to sign Christian Eriksen a month earlier as he neared the end of his Tottenham deal.
Inter Milan recruited the playmaker before he eventually ended up at Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
Similarly to Lindelof, Eriksen’s contract is up at the end of the season, and there is no sign of an extension.
United will be listening to January offers for the 32-year-old, and Solskjaer could finally secure the partnership he desired five years ago in Turkey.
Senegal
