[Prongs]

Stam is United's Costa courter

Ex-United defender Jaap Stam has been scouting for the club in Brazil where he watched teenage Brazilian prodigy Douglas Costa.
Stam, who Sir Alex Ferguson admits he sold too soon, retired from football last summer and is now reportedly working for United again in a scouting role.

He was in Porto Alegre this week to watch youth and senior matches featuring the city's two clubs Internacional and Gremio - the former club of now United midfielder Anderson.

The champions are thought to be monitoring Gremio prodigy Douglas Costa, who has also caught the eye of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

After recently turning 18, the skillful Under 19 international signed a new deal which increases his buy-out clause to £21million and protects the club from losing a player in much the same way United acquired Rafael, Fabio and Rodrigo Possebon from the two big clubs in Rio.

Douglas Costa has already trained with the senior Brazil squad and has begun to impress for Gremio, scoring from 20 yards in Saturday's 2-1 win against Botafogo.

Described as 'the new jewel of Brazilian football', the modest teenager said: "I don't have think about this. I only have that to play football.

"I face this with calmness. I am not a star."

Manchester United: Stam is United's Costa courter - ClubCall.com

Well , am shocked to see Stam working for us . Apparently he apologized to Fergie and Fergie gave him the job it seems .

21 M pounds for this kid ? Seriously ? When we are about to tie up contract for tevez ?

CARLOS TEVEZ FUTURE IN DOUBT | United target 18-year-old wonderkid Douglas Costa | Sport|Football | News Of The World