‘Sometimes I wish I said no to leaving Man Utd – out of the blue there’s a message you’re sold’

Jaap Stam left Manchester United under acrimonious circumstances after leaving Sir Alex Ferguson seething following claims in his autobiography

Jaap Stam has admitted he sometimes wished he stayed at Manchester United after he was controversially sold in 2001.

The Dutch icon began his career in England in 1998 when Sir Alex Ferguson secured his services after the Red Devils splashed out £10.75million which made him the most expensive defender in history at the time.

Stam entered the pantheon of greats among centre backs in football history in just his first season at the club as he played a major role in United’s historic Treble triumph.

He ended up with three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy to his name, but only made 79 league appearances in England, as his time in Manchester surprisingly came to an end in 2001 when he was sold to Lazio for £16million. Despite his reputation as one of the best defenders in the game, Ferguson was angered by claims the Dutchman made in his autobiography ‘Head to Head’.

Stam claimed he was approached to sign for the club without the permission of PSV and during an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast – hosted by former United team-mate Gary Neville – the 51-year-old admitted he wished he fought harder against his departure.