"?Manchester United took on Jaap Stam's Reading side at Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, beating them comfortably 4-0, but, as to be expected, the old arguments about the details of the defender's departure from the Red Devils in 2001 have been dredged up yet again.
Stam was one of the best defenders in world football at the time, a key component in the treble-winning United side of 1999. Many saw his sale as Sir Alex Ferguson's biggest mistake- although the manager did go on to win six Premier League titles without him, so it wasn't all bad.
Jaap Stam picks his all-time career XI - https://t.co/joNvEuegV8
What a side. pic.twitter.com/PV2snSpwlV
The story goes that Sir Alex Ferguson was furious about Stam's book, 'Head To Head', which had just been released. The book detailed Stam's career at Manchester United, including the Dutchman's claims that Ferguson had 'tapped him up' at PSV.
Despite Ferguson himself telling everybody that the book played no part in Stam's subsequent sale to Lazio, many still point to the autobiography as the reason for his unceremonious departure. Now, Stam has attempted to end the debate once and for all.
The Dutchman met with the United committee to discuss their financial situation.
"Every club has like three or four players who are, how you call it? Like the spokesmen, the committee, and I was in there as well and occasionally you speak with a couple of people from the board and about the situation of the club,"? Stam explained to the "?Telegraph.
"They didn't mention names but"? It wasn't about the book. We spoke about it with the board as well about having a problem with the budget at the time."
J.Stam: "It's nice to go back. I love the club, I love the fans and I had a great time there. But this game is not about me." #MUFC
"They needed to sell somebody eventually and, of course, if there had been an offer placed for a player. I had been there three seasons, a bit more, and won everything with the club. They paid, what was it, £10-11m for me? And they could sell me three years later for £15-16m."?
£16m was a sizeable fee at the time, and the budget problems meant that somebody had to go. Ferguson certainly gave Stam the hairdryer treatment about the book, but the defender was off anyway.
The most notable quotes here are: "They didn't mention names" and "an offer placed for a player. I had... won everything with the club." It seems that Stam is still angry that somebody of his stature was about to be chucked out like a nobody.
Hopefully for Stam the debate can come to an end now, particularly since the Red Devils were able to sweep past his Reading side with such ease.