Jaap Stam: 'Fergie told us to dive to get penalties'

MANCHESTER UNITED defender Jaap Stam has caused a further stir in his autobiography by claiming that Sir Alex Ferguson encouraged his side to dive in an attempt to earn penalties when playing in Europe.

The Dutchman says that the English players in the squad found it hard to adopt the policy of going to ground easily, but that Ferguson believed that it was fair game on the continent.

"It's got to the stage where he has even told us: 'Don't try and stay on your feet if you're in the box and get a slight kick," Stam revealed in his autobiography being serialised in the Mirror.

"He wants us to copy other sides we face in European competitions and go down to win a penalty.

"Far too often English players seem determined to keep running after getting a whack on the leg, even though the chance to get a shot in has gone.

"I don't think diving has caught on with the English youngsters yet, as their fair-play mentality stops them from taking a tumble.

"Coaches at academy levels are honest and would stamp out that kind of cheating from their team.

Stam says that he does not advocate diving, as he is often penalised as a result of a forward going to ground under one of his challenges.

"I admit to becoming frustrated by the frequency of diving in the Champions League.

"Players from Holland and Scandinavia aren't divers, but those from Spain and Italy go down far too easily for my liking.

"Even players in Germany are used to taking a dive. In all those countries it looks like they have been brought up with it since their schooldays.

"It's tricky for me to take a dive, though. If I fall down under the slightest kick, I'm going to look stupid falling down like I've been shot."

Idrisozet wrote:Fergie says it because he already had an agreement with the referring

Manchester United weigh up €18m move for Valencia & Spain left-back Jordi Alba
The defender has attracted interest from Barcelona this season but is now being targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson to replace the ageing Patrice Evra

Manchester United are weighing up a €18 million swoop for Valencia left-back Jordi Alba, Goal.com UK has learned.

The Premier League champions are scouting a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra even though there is no suggestion that they could be ready to listen to offers for the Frenchman.

Alba has come to the attention of United since establishing himself in Valencia's first team and becoming a full Spain international last September.

Goal.com understands that Sir Alex Ferguson has instructed his scouts to take a closer look at Alba after initial reports on the 23-year-old earlier this year were said to be extremely encouraging.

Rivals Manchester City are also closely monitoring the defender and their scouts paid particular attention to him during the January window.

However, as revealed by Goal.com earlier this month, it is believed that City’s top left-back target to replace Aleksandar Kolarov is Lille teenager Lucas Digne, who could be available for €8.5m this summer.

Alba was released by Barcelona aged 16 but has flourished at Valencia, who are third in Spain’s Primera Liga.

He was called up to the Spain squad for last two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Scotland and Czech Republic last autumn, and started in the 1-0 friendly defeat to England at Wembley in November.

Valencia’s well-documented financial problems mean that the Spanish club could be ready to negotiate the sale of one of their prize assets. United sources believe a deal could be agreed for around the €18m mark.

Evra has been an ever-presence in United’s charge to the Premier League summit, starting all 33 of the team’s matches, as well as eight of their 11 European fixtures.

Nevertheless, his age – he turns 31 next month – and growing vulnerability have led United to consider long-term alternatives.

Le Samourai wrote:

Manchester United weigh up €18m move for Valencia & Spain left-back Jordi Alba
The defender has attracted interest from Barcelona this season but is now being targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson to replace the ageing Patrice Evra

Manchester United are weighing up a €18 million swoop for Valencia left-back Jordi Alba, Goal.com UK has learned.

The Premier League champions are scouting a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra even though there is no suggestion that they could be ready to listen to offers for the Frenchman.

Alba has come to the attention of United since establishing himself in Valencia's first team and becoming a full Spain international last September.

Goal.com understands that Sir Alex Ferguson has instructed his scouts to take a closer look at Alba after initial reports on the 23-year-old earlier this year were said to be extremely encouraging.

Rivals Manchester City are also closely monitoring the defender and their scouts paid particular attention to him during the January window.

However, as revealed by Goal.com earlier this month, it is believed that City’s top left-back target to replace Aleksandar Kolarov is Lille teenager Lucas Digne, who could be available for €8.5m this summer.

Alba was released by Barcelona aged 16 but has flourished at Valencia, who are third in Spain’s Primera Liga.

He was called up to the Spain squad for last two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Scotland and Czech Republic last autumn, and started in the 1-0 friendly defeat to England at Wembley in November.

Valencia’s well-documented financial problems mean that the Spanish club could be ready to negotiate the sale of one of their prize assets. United sources believe a deal could be agreed for around the €18m mark.

Evra has been an ever-presence in United’s charge to the Premier League summit, starting all 33 of the team’s matches, as well as eight of their 11 European fixtures.

Nevertheless, his age – he turns 31 next month – and growing vulnerability have led United to consider long-term alternatives.

Fergie taking a more direct approach.

Why teach people how to dive when you can buy them ready made?

Luca wrote:"Players from Holland and Scandinavia aren't divers..."

Probably the only funny thing he said, and by funny I mean incorrect
Diving is not a trait of race/ethnicity

Zoidberg wrote:

Luca wrote:"Players from Holland and Scandinavia aren't divers..."

Probably the only funny thing he said, and by funny I mean incorrect
Diving is not a trait of race/ethnicity

Yes it is. South Americans dive more than North Americans. Right there proves that ethnicity matters. I see it in the MLS weekly.

Zoidberg wrote:

Luca wrote:"Players from Holland and Scandinavia aren't divers..."

Probably the only funny thing he said, and by funny I mean incorrect
Diving is not a trait of race/ethnicity

Yes it is. South Americans dive more than North Americans. Right there proves that ethnicity matters. I see it in the MLS weekly.

Zoidberg wrote:Diving stinks, but it is part of the game.

It should still be laughed at every opportunity / ridicule the players who do it

Did anyone else get a kick out of Dani Alves scolding Drogba mid week over diving? It killed me

leemhuis wrote:Jaap never dived.

The Verminator wrote:I can't believe you guys actually think Young dived against Aston Villa. I don't like Yanited or Young but it wasn't a dive. Well luckily i got picture evidence to prove it: