Remembering Stam’s only goal for United

The Dutchman was better known for his defending and was a true fans’ favourite during his three-season stay at Old Trafford.

After all, he helped the team win the Premier League in each of those campaigns and, of course, also complete the unprecedented Treble when overcoming Bayern Munich in a dramatic Champions League final at the Nou Camp.

During that unforgettable season, the Reds racked up a 6-2 win at Leicester City on 16 January.

Sir Alex Ferguson complained the team made life difficult for themselves in the first half but ended up winning in style, with strikers Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke in formidable form up front, scoring the other five goals between them (Yorke got a hat-trick, Cole a brace).

However, it was Stam’s precise side-foot finish to a David Beckham cross that saw him register his only goal in United colours and that probably comes to the mind of most Reds supporters when thinking back to that particular triumph at the Foxes’ old Filbert Street ground.

The centre-back beat home keeper Kasey Keller from close range, in injury time, and did not seem to know what to do to celebrate, which prompted laughter on the touchline by Ferguson.

“For any player coming here for a lot of money, after the World Cup, and with only 10 days’ break, it can be a daunting task,” said the legendary Reds boss. “But, in the main, his performances have been superb all season. He’s come on though, since the two-week break when he was injured. He’s had a benefit from that rest.

“It was the same with Gary Pallister. We paid £2.3 million and that was certainly controversial at the time. He had a bad start and he was a record buy. Everyone said he was a waste of money but he turned out to be a magnificent buy and we got our money back.

“Jaap was criticised in his first game in the Charity Shield but I don’t think there was any justification in that. I think that was just topical criticism because he was a record buy.”

“It was my first for Manchester United and it was great to get one but scoring hasn’t changed my opinion about a flood of goals,” said Stam, in preparation for our next match – a famous win over Liverpool in the FA Cup at Old Trafford. “As long we get the only goal that will do for me.”

As it turned out, United won 2-1 with late strikes by Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, to take another key step towards the Treble.