Jaap Stam clarifies Manchester United position and rubbishes Erik ten Hag comments

Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has rubbished news reports that he has called for manager Erik ten Hag to leave the club and has clarified his recent comments.

The former Netherland's defender, who was part of United's 1999 treble winning side, was a recent guest on the 'Up Front with Simon Jordan' podcast, where he believes his comments on his compatriot have been taken out of context by some media outlets.

Stam said to Jordan: "For Ten Hag, it's his third season at United – I think he needs to go. He needs to look at himself and how last season panned out, I don't always agree with him in terms of him saying they played good football."

His 'I think he needs to go' line caused national headlines stating Stam was demanding ten Hag exits Old Trafford this season, despite the club activating his one-year contract extension in the summer.

Stam has hit back and told the Manchester Evening News by making that particular comment he meant that ten Hag and his United squad must kick on this season, go to a higher level and make clear progress in terms of style, win ratios and, of course, league position.

The centre-back, who played 79 games for United over three years, reiterated that he did not want the manager to leave.

Stam's following comments on the Jordan podcast appear to back up these sentiments, making it clear the erroneous headlines of demanding a sacking were a case of this words being twisted.

The former Reading and Feyenoord manager continued: "I think it's good he signed a new contract because he still needs that little bit of help. He needs to step up this season, there have been a lot of changes made at the club with the staff so I'm curious how it's going to work out for them.

"I'm not surprised Erik ten