Ferguson's Stam regretManchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he has regrets over selling Jaap Stam.
The Dutch centre-back was instrumental in the club's 1999 treble-winning exploits but left for Lazio in 2001. Ferguson said it was Stam's inability to get over an injury that prompted the surprise sale.
"At the time he had just come back from an Achilles injury and we thought he had just lost a little bit," said the Scot.
"We got the offer from Lazio - £16.5million for a centre-back that was 29. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. But in playing terms it was a mistake. He is still playing for Ajax at a really good level."
Ferguson initially signed Stam from PSV Eindhoven.
Stam proved a success with Lazio before moving on to Milan and then back to his homeland with Ajax.
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Stam applauds FergusonDutchman appreciates Scotsman's admission that selling him was a mistake
Ajax defender Jaap Stam believes Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is a bigger man for admitting that selling him was a mistake.
The Dutch centre-back was a key player for the Red Devils between 1998 and 2001, however, Stam was sold to Lazio in the summer of 2001 for £16.5million, a price tag Ferguson said was too good to refuse.
On Wednesday Ferguson confessed that selling Stam was an error, and the 35-year-old has applauded the Scotsman's admission.
"It is good that a man like Ferguson dares to admit that he makes mistakes," Stam told AD Sportwereld.
"It doesn't surprise me, though. I always knew for myself that United made an error by selling me.
"I know that this is the same feeling for many people around the club, from colleagues to fans.
"When I speak with people I hear they should never have let me go.
"A big coach must also be able to see the mistakes he made - if needed, a few years after he made them."
