He was sold to Lazio following comments made in his autobiography

The former centre back was a key player in United's trophy-laden success

Jaap Stam turned out for Manchester United between 1998 and 2001

Jaap Stam's pause is telling when the former defender is asked, if he was 25 again, would he sign for Louis van Gaal's Manchester United.

The Dutchman, now 43, rejected the opportunity to join Liverpool when he left PSV Eindhoven for United in 1998 and won six trophies at Old Trafford — including the historic 1999 Champions League title — but would he sign for the current side?

'I'd go for the club I'd win the most trophies at, or at least where I could play every week,' says Stam, after a long and deliberate pause.

Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has revealed a strained relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson

The ex-Holland international centre back played for United between 1998 and 2001 after joining from PSV

Stam had offers to play for other clubs around Europe but opted to sign for Ferguson's Red Devils

'At the time, Liverpool were interested in me and clubs from Italy and Spain. But I was a United fan and at the time they were the biggest club in Europe so when they came in I wasn't going anywhere else.'

There is anguish in Stam's eyes when he discusses the current problems at United — a club which remains in his heart.

And there is obvious regret when he opens up about the complete breakdown in his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson. The former United boss famously jettisoned Stam's Old Trafford career in a Manchester petrol station in 2001 and then sold him to Lazio for £16.5million.

STAM'S UNITED HONOURS Premier League (3): 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01 FA Cup (1): 1998–99 UEFA Champions League (1): 1998–99 Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999 Advertisement

'My relationship with Sir Alex?' says Stam. 'There's not a relationship.

'When I was playing for Ajax in a pre-season tournament in 2006, that was the first time we saw each other after what had happened.

'You could feel the tension. We were in the centre of Amsterdam in a press conference and I was captain of Ajax at the time so I went and Sir Alex and some people from the board at United were there, too.

'I could feel he was looking at me. But that's football — after years we met up. You may regret someone else's decision but in football you have to keep going.

'We shook hands, had a little chat, and continued with our own thing. But I've got no more bad feelings.

'At the time I wasn't happy with him because I wasn't satisfied with my own situation. For me it was a bit shocking.'

United sold Stam to Lazio following a series of comments he made in his autobiography 'Head to Head'

The imposing Dutchman was a key player for United, helping them to win the Champions League title in 1999

Despite the breakdown in his relationship with Ferguson, Stam remains a passionate United fan

Stam was informed of United's decision to sell him to Lazio while he was at a petrol station

It certainly was. Stam had been a cornerstone of United's defence as they racked up three consecutive Premier League titles but after falling out with Ferguson following the publication of his autobiography, he was quickly packed off to Italy.

The Dutchman was at a petrol station when he took a call from Ferguson asking him where he was.

Minutes later the United manager was on the same forecourt informing Stam he had been sold to Lazio.

Nine years have passed since the former United man hung up his boots, yet Stam is as imposing as ever.

When he shakes your hand, you know about it, and, like one of his sliding tackles, he is right on time for our meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, arriving with his long-term agent Henk van Ginkel and British-based advisor Des Wroe.

Stam notoriously alleged that United's approach to buy him was done without the permission of PSV

The Ajax Under 21s coach's despair at his 'spoiled' players is evident as he explains how underwhelmed they were with Old Trafford when they played a friendly against United's academy last summer.

'The United dressing room is wooden and the players were saying: "what the hell is this?" says Stam.

'They were expecting bucket seats, flat-screen TVs and luxury. Even at this age they are already spoiled. They want watches and cars instead of tradition.'

But there is a softer side behind the hard exterior. Stam explains he will spend the afternoon looking after his wife, who is unwell, and he is quick to defend Van Gaal's impact at United.

Stam and Ferguson exchanged a frosty handshake during a charity match at Old Trafford in 2010

Stam has rued United's current crop of 'spoiled' players but backed under pressure boss Louis van Gaal

'I've worked under Van Gaal for the national team,' he says. 'He is a very good manager. He has proven at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern that if you give him time, he will get results and win prizes.

But Stam knows that at United you are expected to go about your business with panache — a trait not connected with Van Gaal.

He sympathises with fans irked by the lack of style but urges them to move on from the halcyon days under Ferguson.

'It's easy to talk about what happened 15 or 20 years ago,' says Stam.