Sir Alex Ferguson was ‘right’ with every word said during spine-tingling message to Man Utd players, it aged very well

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Sir Alex Ferguson hit the nail on the head with a spine-tingling spell that he delivered to Manchester United players during a key moment in his career.

That is according to Manchester United legend Jaap Stam, who opened up about his time under legendary former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson is widely considered as one of the best managers of all time after his impact in England with United and in Scotland with Aberdeen.

The 82-year-old Scotsman enjoyed incredible success during his legendary spell at Old Trafford, including lifting 13 Premier League titles with the Red Devils.

Ferguson also became the first manager in history to lead an English side to a continental treble, with United achieving the feat in the famous 1998-99 season.

The iconic Scot’s illustrious managerial career came to an end in 2013 after he led United to their last Premier League title at the end of the 2012-13 season.

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Ferguson’s message to Man Utd players

Jaap Stam had a prolific spell at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford in 1998 from PSV Eindhoven.

The 52-year-old Dutchman was an impervious defensive figure for United and had a long-lasting impact during his time with the Red Devils.

Stam was a key player for United during the iconic treble-winning season, with the Dutch former defender starting and playing the full Champions League final in 1999.

The United legend partnered alongside Ronny Johnsen for the final at the Camp Nou against Bayern Munich, who took the lead in the sixth minute thanks to Mario Basler.

Speaking to The Athletic, Stam opened up about the United dressing room at half-time as the Red Devils trailed Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League final.

The former United centre-back revealed that Ferguson didn’t talk about tactics in his half-time speech and instead sent a rallying call for his players to fight back.

“Everybody has their own version of the team meeting,” Stam said.

“My memory is that Fergie said, ‘It’s one game. We’re not playing our best football, but it’s only 1-0 and it might be the only opportunity you have in your lifetime to play in a Champions League final. Don’t pass that trophy with any regrets. Make sure that tomorrow, when you look in the mirror, you can say that you gave everything.’

“He could have talked tactics, but that’s what he said.

“He was right. I wasn’t playing my best football, but finals are rarely top games.

“That’s because of the pressure that comes with them, the quality of the opposition, the importance of the result.

“Players are more reserved in how they play because they know that if they make a mistake and the other team scores, that’s what they’ll be remembered for.”

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Stam on Man Utd’s treble win

United staged a dramatic comeback against Bayern Munich after Teddy Sheringham came off the bench and pulled back an equaliser in second-half injury time.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who came off the bench like United legend Teddy Sheringham, then scored a famous winner for the Red Devils only minutes later.

Stam admitted that he “lost it” when Sheringham found the equaliser and “knew” that Bayern “were broken” the moment that United pulled themselves level.

“It was pure joy when Teddy [Sheringham] and Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] scored,” he said.

“Normally, I’m not that joyful. I’m quite reserved, even when we scored winning goals.

“I’d tell everybody to stand up again and do your job. But I lost it when we equalised. I felt like I was bursting out of my skin. I also knew that Bayern were broken.

“What a feeling. The pressure vanished; we’d done it. Ten days earlier, we could have lost everything and finished the season with nothing.

“We knew that everyone who wasn’t a United fan wanted us to fail. After all the celebrations, I went into the dressing room and had a couple of glasses of champagne. Then did some press.

“The party continued on the bus and back at the hotel. I remember saying: ‘That’s me done’ and going to bed. I was so tired and ran out of energy, especially after the alcohol kicked in.”