'Manchester United know they made a mistake in selling me. I know they made a mistake but I am happy at Milan,' Stam is quoted as saying. "I was settled at Manchester United, I had even just ordered a new kitchen, but they wanted to sell me. If a club want to sell you, there is nothing you can do. You can be sold like cattle. In what other industry can a good employee be ushered out the door against their wishes? Of course, you can refuse to go, but then the club have the power to put you on the bench.
"I don’t agree that players control the game."
Stam was a late developer and thinking that his chance of professional football had gone he began training to be an electrician but he has no regrets:
"Starting late can be a good thing. Some kids who start early get bored. I had my youth, having fun, drinking beers, blowing up milk canisters — it sounds strange but it’s a tradition where I grew up in Kampen — and I had done all the things I wanted to do."
Diego has his say too:
"Ferguson didn’t give me enough time to be a success. He lacked patience and it seemed I would always be the scapegoat. I got tired of being a substitute for Ruud van Nistelrooy. The manager only had eyes for the Dutchman. And Roy Keane didn’t like me from the moment I arrived."