Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted the sale of Jaap Stam to Lazio in 2001 was his biggest mistake as Manchester United boss.
The Dutch centre-back was sold to the Serie A side for £16.5 million against the backdrop of Old Trafford dressing-room revelations in his autobiography.
Speaking ahead of United Relief Live: The Big Red Family Day Out charity match, Fergie said: "It was one of the mistakes I made – hopefully I haven't made too many – but that was one.
"I got this offer from Lazio for £18.5 million. Was it £18.5 million? No, £16.5 million I think it was, and I says, 'Can't turn it down. He's 30 years of age.'
"I thought if we could get Laurent Blanc for a year or so and bring the young ones through – like Wes Brown and John O'Shea - but it backfired."
It certainly did with United only winning one title in the next five years, compared to the three in Stam's three seasons at Old Trafford.
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The Dutch centre-back was sold to the Serie A side for £16.5 million against the backdrop of Old Trafford dressing-room revelations in his autobiography.
And although Ferguson has since made his peace with Stam, the United boss admitted he is still troubled by selling the big Dutchman.
Speaking ahead of United Relief Live: The Big Red Family Day Out charity match, Fergie said: "It was one of the mistakes I made – hopefully I haven't made too many – but that was one.
"I got this offer from Lazio for £18.5 million. Was it £18.5 million? No, £16.5 million I think it was, and I says, 'Can't turn it down. He's 30 years of age.'
"I thought if we could get Laurent Blanc for a year or so and bring the young ones through – like Wes Brown and John O'Shea - but it backfired."
It certainly did with United only winning one title in the next five years, compared to the three in Stam's three seasons at Old Trafford.
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
