02 April 2023 , 10:35
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Manchester United legend Jaap Stam wanted to cut up a Liverpool shirt after being gifted one by his compatriot Virgil van Dijk.
Stam spent three seasons at Old Trafford during his playing career, helping Sir Alex Ferguson's side win three consecutive Premier League titles before leaving in 2001. The Dutchman was widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world at the time.
Ferguson controversially sold Stam to Lazio after sensing the player was passed his peak. Much has been made of Stam's United departure, but there can be no doubting his love for the Manchester club after his encounter with Liverpool defender Van Dijk.
Stam and Van Dijk spoke to Viaplay ahead of Liverpool's 4-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon. During the interview, Van Dijk hands Stam a Liverpool shirt with the legendary centre-back's name and number on.
As Stam opens it, he laughs and asks, "Can we cut this?" Van Dijk, who is often compared with Stam, responds by laughing before shaking his compatriot's hand.
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Although Van Dijk gave Stam the present as a joke, the latter's reaction suggests he still adores his old employers. Ferguson signed Stam from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 1998, and the defender immediately became an integral member of United's squad.
Jaap Stam wanted to cut the Liverpool shirt (Twitter/@viaplaysportnl)Do you think Sir Alex Ferguson made a mistake by selling Jaap Stam in 2001? Let us know in the comments below!
Stam helped United win the Premier League title, FA Cup and Champions League during the 1998/99 campaign, as they became the first and only English team to complete such a treble. Man City are aiming to follow in their footsteps this season.
Stam went on to win two more Premier League titles before Ferguson accepted a £16million bid for the then 29-year-old. Ferguson lived to regret to that decision, as Stam went on to represent AC Milan in their 2005 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.
Ferguson later admitted in 2007, "At the time he had just come back from an Achilles injury and we thought he had just lost a little bit. We got the offer from Lazio... it was an offer I couldn't refuse, but in playing terms it was a mistake."
But the legendary defender appreciated the banter (Twitter/@viaplaysportnl)Stam went into coaching after retiring in 2007 and has managed the likes of Reading and Feyenoord since. He was even willing to join Erik ten Hag's coaching staff at Old Trafford when the former Ajax boss was appointed by United, such is his love for the club.
"I've never spoken to United [about joining Ten Hag's staff] - nobody phoned me about anything... but, like I said before, United is a club that I love," Stam told bet365.
"I've grown there as an individual. As a player, it made me stronger, it made me what I am now in career. I made history with that club, which is very positive, so if they need me, or if I can help them out in anyway, I'm always willing to do so."