JAAP HAS STAM-INA FOR THE FUTURE

MANCHESTER UNITED'S bid to retain the Premiership crown has received a timely boost with the return to fitness of Jaap Stam. The imposing defender has made just four appearances since mid-September, but as the exclusive Opta stats reveal, he has made an immediate impact since his comeback.

The Red Devil's have maintained four consecutive clean sheets and have taken maximum points since the former PSV Eindhoven star made his comeback in January. And United fans will be satisfied to learn that the Dutchman is negotiating a deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2007. Defensive partner Wes Brown is certainly profiting from Stam's presence in the back four, as he reveals: "He's just so strong and aggressive and he gets the whole team going. We talk on the pitch all the time and we talk in training."

As well as being an effective communicator, Stam has physically asserted his authority on the pitch by winning all five of his challenges in the number six shirt. The Dutch international has also used his 6'3" frame to great effect by making an average of four headed clearances per game this year.Stam has tangled with the likes of Kevin Campbell and Niall Quinn in the past two weeks. In the heat of such physical duels has remained impeccably disciplined and has yet to receive a booking in 2001.

In tandem with his defensive duties, Stam has proved that he is composed on the ball and uses possession intelligently. United are The Premiership's most accurate passing team and Stam has helped to maintain this high standard by finding a colleague with 86% of his distribution.

The fact that United are so keen to secure his services for the next six seasons is testimony to Stam's ability and influence. The extra years on his contract would give the colossal centre-back time to forge an effective partnership with England international Brown and pass on his knowledge and experience to the youngster.

But in terms of the present, Stam's inclusion in the United starting XI will provide further strength to a team that has the best defensive record in the country. And with the Champions League set to resume next week, his name on the team sheet will provide a notable confidence boost when The Red Devils go head to head with the cream of the continent.