Former Manchester United defender’s Jaap Stam has made a shock return to Manchester United as a talent scout. The former Holland defender’s relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson was critical when his candid 2001 autobiography carped the Fergie and some players like Roy Keane.
The centre back was sold to Lazio within weeks but the 36-year-old, who retired last year after ending his playing career at Ajax, is reported to be working as a scout for United.
Stam was spotted in Porto Alegre in Brazil this week to watch a youth-team match between Internacional and Ceramica. It is believed that United have been linked with Gremio’s Douglas Costa and Stam saw the creative midfielder put in a man-of-the-match performance in just his second start.
Costa has just signed a new contract with Gremio after turning 18, increasing his buy-out clause from £5million to £21m after reports also linked him to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Dubbed the ‘new jewel of Brazilian football’ by Gremio president Paulo Odone, Costa is already impressing coaches and team-mates, scoring from 20 yards in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Botafogo.
Sir Alex Ferguson is pleased that he finally got some talents from Brazil, remember Kleberson’s nightmare, and he will be happy to add Costa to the long young Brazilian players list.
Welcome back Jaap!
