Manchester United legend Jaap Stam made his feelings clear about Liverpool in a recent interview with fellow countryman and the Reds’ centre-back Virgil van Dijk. Stam had joined United from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 1998 for £10.6 million, a then-record transfer fee for a defender. He spent three successful seasons at Old Trafford, contributing to his side’s three straight Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Before departing Old Trafford in 2001, Stam played close to 80 games for Manchester United and solidly established himself as one of the most commanding defenders of that era. At the time, the Dutchman was regarded as one of the top defenders in the entire world. Being a United player meant getting naturally embroiled in a fierce rivalry with Liverpool, which it appears Stam has carried on till this day.
‘Can we cut this?’ – Manchester United’s legend reacts to Liverpool shirt
Ahead of Liverpool’s 4-1 loss against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, Stam and Van Dijk spoke to Viaplay. Van Dijk presented Stam with a Liverpool jersey that had the name and number of the illustrious former center-back during the interview. Stam can be seen unwrapping it in the video and laughing before asking, “Can we cut this?” to which Van Dijk responds by sharing a laugh with him and a warm handshake.
Despite the fact that Van Dijk offered Stam the gift in jest, the latter’s response indicates that he still respects his former employers. Stam joined Ferguson’s team in the summer of 1998 after leaving PSV Eindhoven, and the defender quickly established himself as a key player for Manchester United.
Stam assisted United in becoming the first and only English side to win the treble by lifting the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the 1998–1999 season. This season, their local rivals Manchester City are looking to follow in their footsteps. Ferguson then controversially traded Stam to Lazio after the Scot felt the defender was past his peak. Although Stam’s exit from United has drawn a lot of attention, his devotion to Manchester United is undeniable in light of his run-in with Liverpool defender Van Dijk.
Mooi shirtje, Jaap ?#ViaplaySportNL #ViaplayVoetbal pic.twitter.com/el9CqhNsOq
— Viaplay Sport Nederland (@viaplaysportnl) April 1, 2023
Prior to Ferguson accepting a £16 million deal for his coveted defender, who was then 29 years old, Stam went on to win two more Premier League titles with Manchester United. Stam later played for AC Milan in their Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2005, and Ferguson lived to rue his decision.
After retiring in 2007, Stam entered the coaching profession and has subsequently led teams like Reading and Feyenoord. Given how much he cares about the team, he even offered to join Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Old Trafford when the former Ajax manager was hired by United. Stam told bet365 back in September last year:
“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. 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.”