Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has revealed the four standout players that he played alongside during his prolific spell at Old Trafford.
Stam, who opened up on Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to sell him, made a stunning impact in the heart of the United defence across his three seasons at the club.
The 51-year-old Dutchman was signed from PSV Eindhoven in 1998 and would lift three Premier League titles, a Champions League and an FA Cup with United.
Stam was considered one of the best defenders in the world during his time at United and was an integral member of Ferguson’s treble-winning side in 1999.
However, the ex-United star was brutally axed from the club in 2004 and sold to Lazio after Ferguson took issue with the allegations he made in his autobiography.
Despite his spell at Old Trafford being cut short — a decision that Ferguson later regretted — Stam was fortunate to share the pitch with talented players at United.
Stam’s four best United players
Stam has opened up on his time at United and was asked who were some of the best players he played alongside at the Premier League club.
The former United defender’s top-four picks included Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Andy Cole, with Stam also praising one of Ferguson’s biggest strengths.
Speaking to Superstar Speakers, Stam said: “In United? That’s a difficult one because I think we had a great team.
“A very good side and Sir Alex, I think that’s one of his strengths in building a team and getting the right characters and personality within the team, so you know they could perform. So everybody had quality, of course.
“But there’s always players like Roy, like Scholsey. Scholsey was a hell of a player, a very good player. Keaney of course. Then like I said Roy, Giggsy of course. A very good player. Andy as well.”
Stam on adapting to United and playing in England
Stam is all too familiar with the demands of adapting to a new league and club, with the United legend recently highlighting the struggles of one current Red Devils player.
The ex-Netherlands international has also shared his verdict on Erik ten Hag’s struggles at United, as well as the manager’s best signing at the club so far.
Stam, who also named his ‘ideal’ centre-back partner from the Premier League, expertly broke down the difference between playing at PSV compared with playing at United.
“And for me it was, and that’s a good thing that’s why you’re making the next step abroad to go to a different level because in Holland the league is totally different,” he continued.
“You get a couple of big clubs, the quality of these big clubs is a lot more than — with all of the respect to the other clubs — [other sides] within the league. And then going to a very big club in the world like United and having these players, seeing that quality.
“For me, it was like starting from scratch. From zero again. You know, trying to find your way and proving yourself again to the other players that you’re up for the test as well and also getting tested in a positive way by getting done at times because the players that you’re then playing and training with are a lot more clever than I had in PSV.
“And that’s a good thing as well and then you can see your level as well and that makes you better as well playing against these players in training sessions and there weren’t a lot of teams in the Premier League who had that quality in their squad.”
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