Rio Ferdinand has claimed that one former Manchester United defender was even better than Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Manchester United would love to sign Michael Olise, but the team must begin evaluating players based on their actual needs.
While there were more pressing needs at other positions last summer, United spent a lot of money on Mason Mount, and the club’s transfer business was far more challenging overall.
Once more, United is operating on a limited budget and needs to cover positions at center back and striker. It will most likely also be necessary to have a left-back.
The midfield needs repair, particularly in the event that Casemiro departs, which is why having a winger feels like a luxury addition.
Will Olise have any remaining funds? And maybe even more eloquently, given the rivalry for his signature, will he even be available?
Rio Ferdinand makes big Jaap Stam vs Virgil van Dijk claim
For £10.75 million in 1998, United signed Jaap Stam from PSV Eindhoven (BBC).
The Dutchman rapidly established himself as a crucial member of the Red Devils’ defense. In his first season, he won both the Premier League and the Champions League. In the next two years, he won two more league championships.
Across all competitions, the outstanding defender appeared in 127 matches for Manchester United, with 79 of those matches taking place in the Premier League.
During his three seasons at Old Trafford, Stam accomplished the amazing accomplishment of winning the Premier League title each year.
Rio Ferdinand appears to be a huge fan of him even now. He is still thought of as one of the best center backs to play for the team.
The Englishman, in a video on Mail Sport, was asked to pick between Jaap Stam and a number of other world-class defenders who played in the Premier League.
Ferdinand remained adamant that Stam was better than the likes of Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, Chelsea legend John Terry, Tottenham hero Ledley King and Arsenal stars from past and present, Tony Adams, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure and William Saliba.
When asked particularly about Stam vs Van Dijk, Ferdinand replied: “Jaap Stam!”
What Sir Alex Ferguson really regrets about Jaap Stam
In 2001, Jaap Stam committed to a five-year deal with Manchester United.
Everyone thought the Dutchman would remain at Old Trafford for many years to come, but everything changed in the summer of that year after an unexpected turn of events.
In order to acquire money for additional transfers, Sir Alex Ferguson chose to accept an offer from Lazio for Stam. That August, the storied defender was sold.
Years later, in 2013, Ferguson acknowledged that selling Stam was a mistake and even went so far as to refer to it as one of his biggest “disappointments.”
“When I think of disappointments, obviously Jaap Stam was always a disappointment to me, I made a bad decision there,” he stated.
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