Stam hoping for Fergie chat

Stam was a key part of the Manchester United side that won the treble in 1999, but left the club two years later in controversial circumstances.

The former United man wrote about different players at the club in his autobiography 'Head to Head' and also alleged that Sir Alex Ferguson approached him without the permission of ex-club, PSV.

Stam subsequently left to join Lazio, but after the initial fallout with Ferguson, the former Red Devils boss admitted that it was a mistake to let Stam leave Old Trafford.

Stam, now managing Reading, will take his side to Old Trafford in the FA Cup next month, and the Royals boss is hoping that he will get the opportunity to speak to his former manager.

"I haven't heard from Sir Alex since I came here but I do think it would be nice to talk to him," Stam told the 'Daily Mail'.

"Now, as a manager, I think of the way he spoke to the group, how he affected the team at certain moments".

Stam insisted that he was happy at United and believes that he played his best football at Lazio.

"I was enjoying myself at United. I had signed a new contract the season before. I had no intention of moving. Everyone knows how it went," he said.

"I still think I had my best spell in football at Lazio and Milan because you get to a certain age and you know everything you need to do in every situation. I have worked in England, Italy and Holland and that gives me a great blend of knowledge".