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!

United are not playing this weekend as there are no UEFA Champions League games due to World Cup 2010 qualifications games. So we tried to bring something different for you. A funny moment happened during Chelsea v Man United game. Assistant manager’s Mike Phelan scared all United backroom staff including Sir Alex Ferguson as you can see in the photo.

Manchester United agreed to pay £30 millions to buy their long term target Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Spurs. According to Alkhaleej newspaper in UAE, Manchester United have agreed to pay Spurs asking price with an extra £3 millions so they withdraw any case about United illegal attempts to sign the Bulgarian striker from the court.

However, our team panel stayed yesterday till midnight to find any news about Berbatov signing, there were no clear news. While some of the press release available today reported that a deal to be completed today after Berbatov passes medical. Stuart Mathieson from Manchester evening suggests Berbatov will move to Manchester United by midnight to end one of the longest transfer saga in England this season.

Berbatov wasn’t at Stamford Bridge yesterday for Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea and Spurs coach Gus Poyet said after the game that the press will know tomorrow if Berbatov has played his last game with Tottenham. Read the full story