Bet365 quizzes footballing legend Jaap Stam

Former Manchester United, AC Milan and Netherlands defender Jaap Stam was the guest on the most recent Bet365 Big Interview, with the big man facing questions on his former clubs, his compatriot Eric ten Hag, and the exploits of a certain Erling Haaland.

You can read the full interview here, and be sure to subscribe to Bet365’s Facebook and Twitter channels for the best video clips.

Here are some of the best bits from the main man himself:

Who would be the current Premier League forward you’d be most afraid of if you were playing today? 

“For me I would say nobody. I think we need to be fair to the players who are playing now. I’m not afraid of him, but I’m impressed by Harland, because he’s got different attributes in terms of making small runs in the box when there’s not a lot of space, but still scoring and finding his position. And also of course using the space behind him too. 

The one that I’m very impressed with is Jesus from Arsenal, even last week against United. He’s a very good player, very strong on the ball. He’s very clever linking up with the midfield players from the build-up, and going forwards, I like him very much.”

How impressed have you been by Man Utd’s turnaround?

“It’s been very impressive, because it’s good for the manager and very important for the team to make a change, especially after a start like that. The first two games, losing, not getting the results they wanted, it’s very important to turn things around as quickly as they have done. 

We’re now seeing how the manager wants them to play and the philosophy so it’s not always easy, he’s done well to turn it around and make changes within the team. We’ve also seen slight changes in the style of play and personnel, and they’ve seen the benefits of that in getting results.”

Can Harry Maguire find a way back into this team?

“You never know. Harry had his opportunities in the beginning of the season, but the manager made a big decision early on to take him out of the playing squad so now he needs to find his place within the squad again and get his confidence back. I’d assume he’s lacking quite a bit of that at the moment.  

Harry needs to take full advantage of the minutes he gets and when he needs to step in due to an injury, suspension or formation change, he needs to show himself and what he can do for the team again.”

Can anyone challenge City this year for the Premier League?

“It’s difficult to say even now that City will win the league. They’ve dropped points recently; they’re trying to find their way and trying to make improvements to get their consistency and return to the top of the league.

In this League, you know other teams will come up eventually, and this early on, we don’t know how Liverpool will look later on in the season, the same goes for Tottenham and Arsenal who are doing well at the minute. United are improving too, even Brighton are in with a shout given their performances of late. I’m not saying they’ll go all the way, but you never know – look at Leicester City.”

You mentioned in the summer that if the call ever came to go back onto the coaching staff at Manchester United, it would be something you’d take in a minute. Were there conversations at all when Erik came in? 

“I’ve never spoken to United, nobody phoned me about anything. But that’s also how it goes in football, you know. When a new manager comes in, he’s taking his own people with him, that he knows and that can give him confidence, and that might help him out in certain ways. 

But like I said before, United is a club that I love, I’ve grown there as an individual, as a player it made me stronger, it made me what I am now in career. I made history with that club, which is very positive, so if they need me, or if I can help them out in anyway, I’m always willing to do so.”

Read the full interview at extra.bet365.com

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