Jaap Stam returns to Manchester United

Former Manchester United and Dutch defender Jaap Stam will again play for the Red Devils later this year. Yes, this is true, considering the fact how he left the club in a controversial fashion. Stam will make his Old Trafford return on 2nd june, 2013 facing Real Madrid legends in a charity match. Manchester united confirmed the news this monday morning

Stam was a crucial part of the Treble winning United side of 1999. But his United career came to an abrupt end when Sir Alex decided to sell him in 2001 following his comments on some of his United teammates. However, Sir Alex Ferguson described the decision to sell Stam by saying: “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, £16.5m for a centre-back who was 29. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse. But in playing terms it was a mistake. He is still playing for Ajax at a really good level.”

Other Treble winners Teddy Sheringham, Nicky Butt and Van Der Sar will also join the United Legends squad to play against Real Madrid. Stam joins the likes of other former United players such as Lee Sharpe, Dwight Yorke, Teddy sheringham, Dion Dublin and Quinton Fortune to play the home leg of the friendly against Real Madrid Legends.

“Four new names have signed up for the United Legends squad ahead of the Red Heart United gala fixture against Real Madrid’s former stars,” a statement on United’s official website(www.Manutd.com)confirmed.

“Treble winners Teddy Sheringham, Nicky Butt and Jaap Stam will form part of Bryan Robson’s plans for the 2 June encounter at Old Trafford, along with one of the best goalkeepers ever to play for the club in Edwin van der Sar.

“The quartet join Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Denis Irwin, Lee Sharpe, Dion Dublin and Quinton Fortune as confirmed participants as the Reds aim to avenge a 3-2 defeat in the Bernabeu last year.”