Jaap STAM

On 5th May 1998, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson signed Jaap Stam from Dutch club

PSV Eindhoven. The transfer fee was settled at £10.75 million, making Stam the most expensive

defender in the world. Jaap made his full debut in the Charity Shield against Arsenal but, new to

the English game, he struggled with the quick movement and pace of Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka

in particular. United were beaten emphatically 3-0. As Stam's form continued to waver his critics inevitably

began to ask questions. It was not until midway through the 98/99 season that he began to provide answers.

His form gradually improved as he adapted and settled into the English game. His strength, pace, alertness

and composure on the ball allowed him to form solid defensive partnerships with the likes of Ronny Johnsen

and Henning Berg.

He scored his first and only goal for United in a 6-2 thrashing of Leicester City and proved

to be an integral part of the United team which ended an incredible 33 match unbeaten run by completing an

unprecedented Treble in the 98/99 season. He is notably remembered for a vital goal-line clearance against

Juventus in the semi-final of the European Cup which, had he not performed, would have put United 3-1 down

and surely out of the competition. The big Dutchman continued to move from strength to strength and helped

United to another two consecutive Premiership titles over the next two seasons. It is perhaps another testament

to his abilities that United finished the 2000/01 season with the best defensive record in the Premiership.

Unfortunately things did not start so well for Stam in the 2001/02 season. The beginning of the season coincided

with the release of his controversial autobiography. The book contained comments which had allegedly upset some

of his teammates and, more significantly, the manager. Effectively, his Manchester United career was over and it

was no surprise when he completed a £16.5 million move to Italian giants Lazio. (Kris Askew)

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