FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED defender Jaap Stam will make an emotional return to Old Trafford later this year as part of the Legends squad to face Real Madrid in a friendly to raise money for charity.
Stam left United in controversial circumstances in 2001 after angering United manager Alex Ferguson with a series of critical comments about his team-mates in his autobiography.
Ferguson responded to Stam’s revelations by selling the Dutch centre-back to Lazio, even though he played a key role in United winning a hat-trick of Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions League crown during his three-year spell with the club. The United boss later described the decision to sell Stam as the biggest mistake of his career and the pair have since made their peace.
United confirmed last night that Stam will be part of their Legends squad for their charity fixture against Madrid at Old Trafford on 2 June.
Stam’s former United and Holland team-mate Edwin van der Sar has also agreed to play in the game, as have Teddy Sheringham and Nicky Butt, who both helped United win the treble in 1999. Roy Keane has not.
“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 website 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.”
