Stam return clears O'Shea move - January 5, 2001
Jaap Stam made a successful comeback for Manchester United reserves last night - removing the final obstacle to John O'Shea's long-awaited loan move to Belgian club Royal Antwerp.
Stam completed 45 minutes of United's 4-4 draw with Wrexham and will be available for the FA Cup this weekend. And that means Irish star-of-the-future O'Shea can pack his bags for Belgium - and a move which Alex Ferguson says will be the making of the player!
Antwerp, currently eleventh in the Belgian top division, have an arrangement with Manchester United which regularly sees young stars like Ronnie Wallwork go there for first-team experience.
O'Shea joins two other rising United stars who are currently on loan at the club - defender Kirk Hilton and midfielder Michael Stewart.
Belgian football is on its winter break until the end of the month but O'Shea, who has made two appearances for United's first team this season, should slot straight in.
"Alex Ferguson told me this will be the making of me," O'Shea said. "I want to be in the Manchester United first team and to get there I need the experience.
"Things may not be as physical in Belgium, but they are certainly as technical."