Not again Fergie...

Remember Jaap Stam?

His gleaming bald head, his rugged defensive styles and his love for all things aerial battle-related.

Yes, the Dutch defender really was a rock during his time on these shores with Manchester United.

And that’s probably why United boss Sir Alex Ferguson still regards the sale of the centre-back to Lazio as one of the biggest mistakes he’s ever made during his fantastic career at Old Trafford.

So is Fergie about to take another huge gamble in January, with rumours stating today that the Scot is contemplating selling both first-team centre-halves Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in the transfer window set to re-open in less than a month’s time.

Young Englishmen Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have broken though this campaign and are beginning to prove themselves as quality Premier League performers with serious international potential.

But losing two of the top-flights best defenders would surely be a step too far for the Red Devils, especially when they are in what could be one of the tightest title-races in Premiership history?

Vidic has been at his imperious best so far this term, and although injuries are beginning to catch up with the Serbian, he is United’s captain and leads from example at the back.

Ferdinand’s future may be a little less certain, but still, it’s easy to forget how good the former West Ham man is when he is not on the sidelines.

One can only imagine that Ferguson has a master plan up his sleeve, with the intention of bringing in equally as effective replacements.

But if he’s not careful, it could be like Stam all over again.

James Shipp