Shock as Fergie appoints Jaap Stam as scout

According to the Daily Mail, Sir Alex Ferguson has made the shock appointment of Jaap Stam as a club scout. Reports claim that Stam, who had a huge public fall-out with Fergie in 2001, has joined the club’s backroom staff and is acting as a talent-spotter in the South American region. The defender made 127 appearances for United and played an integral role in the 1999 Treble-winning campaign.

The centre-half fell-out with Fergie some seven years ago after he foolishly criticised the United boss and his fellow team-mates in his autobiography.

Sir Alex was furious and the no-nonsense Dutch defender parted company with the club and was sold to Lazio within a matter of weeks.

Stam announced his retirement from the professional arena in October 2007 following spells at AC Milan and Ajax.

Now, reports in the Daily Mail claim that Stam is working in South America as a scout for the club. The article also claims that the 35-year-old will be paying particular attention to the progress of Gremio's Douglas Costa who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.