Manchester United legend Jaap Stam was asked if it ‘helped’ to hear Sir Alex Ferguson admit that his decision to sell him was one of his biggest regrets.
Stam was one of the best defenders in the world during his time at United and the 51-year-old Dutchman was a key part of the Red Devils’ treble-winning season.
Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 1998, Stam lifted three Premier League titles, a Champions League and an FA Cup during his successful spell at Old Trafford.
However, the former PSV and United star’s time at the Premier League club was cut short after Ferguson ruthlessly sold him in 2001 to Italian side Lazio.
Stam famously published his 2001 autobiography, called ‘Head to Head,’ and Ferguson took issue with some of the claims that he had made about United.
Ferguson, who built a formidable reputation for his approach towards players, swiftly moved Stam on as a result of his claims and replaced him with Laurent Blanc.
Ferguson’s regret on United legend Stam
Stam, who is considered one of the best defenders of all time, went on to play for Lazio, AC Milan and Ajax and enjoyed a successful playing career post-United.
The former Netherlands international lifted a Coppa Italia with Lazio and a Dutch Cup with Ajax, but he fell short of a Champions League title with Milan in 2005.
Speaking to MUTV in 2013, Ferguson opened up on his regret about selling Stam and claimed that the former Ajax and Milan player was one of his “disappointments.”
“When I think of disappointments, obviously Jaap Stam was always a disappointment to me, I made a bad decision there,” he said at the time.
Stam asked about Ferguson’s United regret
Stam appeared on The Overlap alongside Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Gary Neville and opened up about his time playing under Ferguson at United.
The ex-United centre-back offered his honest verdict on Erik ten Hag’s struggles at Old Trafford this season and the current manager’s best signing at the club to date.
Keane and Neville also attempted to pick out the ‘ideal’ defensive partner for Stam, who disagreed with both of his ex-United teammates and revealed his choice.
Stam, who changed his stance on one current United player, was asked by Wright how he felt when he heard Ferguson’s regret about his decision to sell him.
Responding to Wright, he said: “Well, does it help? He could have brought me back as well, couldn’t he? But afterwards, if you’re still one of the best in the world. They don’t do that.
“But going to the next league in Italy and where you again need to adjust to everything makes it a lot easier because you’ve already had this experience.
“You become an even better player and even better person, I think.”
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