Old is Gold!

The quote 'Age is Just a Number' is quite true. In all our daily lives, say it business, household or even sport like football experience plays a major role in determining the outcome. It is said that a professional player starts  'ageing' from the age of 31 meaning speed getting slow, less agility, frequently getting injured, stamina reduction, all this happens,although the player physically may start getting weak but his mental capacity gets even better. This is due to their playing experience within the years of their career, they know how everything functions, how the league works, how to face attackers, how to get past defenders the tactics of the opponent. Wonder why mostly all old players are made captains?
Manchester United have some old players under their wing who have highly impressed this season and some who's careers are on the line. But still they have got load of experience under their sleeve.
Let's analyse them and the way they can influence the team and the game play.

1. Antonio Valencia. 

The Ecuadorian International has been at the peak of his United and football career. He being 31 is already considered as the best right back in the Premier League. Valencia was first a right midfielder and a winger was transformed by Louis Van Gaal during the injury crisis during this time last season. He had experimented him and it turned successful. He is arguably United's one of the  best player so far. Being a defender and a right back, he usually plays a role of a right wing back you usually comes forward in the attacking three and delivers crosses to his team mates and backs up the current winger in that position. Due his these specialites he can help improve and mentor the other full backs in the squad like, Darmain, Shaw, Fosu Mensah. He has achieved all this at the age of 31 and being a winger he is now established himself as a full back. 

2. Michael Carrick 

One of the eldest players in the squad and of the most experienced Premier League Midfielder Michael Carrick. He aged 35 has still got lots in him. He is an important part of Mourinho’s style of play the team and acts like the catalyst of the squad. The veteran midfieder who is a central defensive midfielder  and also as a box to box midfieder. He was signed by Sir Alex from Spurs and has been playing very well lately. It is still not proved or it can be a coincidence that whenever he starts, United win. He is also a leader in the team and in the dressing room. Also he captains the side when Smalling and Rooney are not there. His role in the team is very important excluding his position. He keeps the team together, helps make decisions, mentor, guides other midfielders like Herrera, Pogba, Fellaini, Rooney. As per his position comes into picture he can guide his fellow teammates how to get the ball into possession, defend deeply and start a counter attack. Precision passing. He may not be that fast or agile like this generation is but his advice is golden. 

3. Bastian Schweinsteiger 

The German Legend Bastian Schweinsteiger who is 32 is not an integral part of United but is a player with vast experience. He although may not have that much experience in the Premier League but the way he played for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga is commendable. He was an important part of the German International team who won the World Cup in 2014. He was like the Catalyst of the team. His current United situation is very uncertain. He has not been given chances at United. At the first he was exiled from the squad and suddenly his rise in the team is very interesting. We still don't know if it is permanent or for a temporary squad rotation basis. The way he played against Wigan was one of his best ever United performance scoring that Bicycle kick,which showed that he has still got that beast who ripped apart Germany within him. He can guide likes of Herrera, Pogba, Fellaini to supply great long balls into the opposing penalty area and create great chances. 

4. Wayne Rooney. 

The England International Captain and current United Capitan Wayne Rooney who is 31 is slowly starting to get towards the end of his glorious career. He set the Premier League alight during his younger days and his partnership with Ronaldo was the best. He was the Leagues most feared striker, but now has started diminishing before and after he breaking Sir Bobby Charltons record of 249 goals. He is now England's and United's leading goalscorer. His record stands firm and cannot be beaten for over a decade. He is now very slow, selfish, his shots are never on target and so many dismayal performances that have led to him on the fringe and could be sold. But leaving all that aside and let's see how can he help the squad with his experience. First of all he is an attacking midfielder who can also play striker. He can help budding attackers like, Rashford, Lingard and Martial improve their finishing, shot power and not to forget that he has a vast Premier League experience and basically knows the speed of the league and the way to face bouldering defenders. He is also the club captain and already motivates his players makes key decisions. Keeps his squad balanced and takes all the decision without haste excluding his own shooting decisions. 

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

The super Swede as he know is 35 and already taking the Premier League by storm due to his vast scoring ability at such and age. The tall Swede has played in every major league in Europe and with Elite teams like the Milan Clubs, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Barcelona, PSG and now he has conquered England with Manchester United. Wherever he has played he has won titles. He the player with the most experience in the United squad as he has played in all major leagues and knows the ultimate experience. Say that he has done his masters in experience. No one's experience can be compared to his. He being an attacker and also 35 can still go on till 37. His large physique, shot power, free kicks and finishing of the ball makes him the complete attacker. He can be a useful asset in the European Competitions. At the age of 34 if someone can score 40 goals a season what a player he would be. His cool and wining mentality, his confidence and Zlatan style can help his budding strikers Martial and Rashford in particular to reach the ultimate peak. He mentoring them be like that you want to learn how to do Kung Fu and Jackie Chan himself is your teacher! As for the team comes into play. He can advise for set pieces who to play the game, tactics overall, not just attackers but also the whole team. He like the role model and the mentor of the whole team. In fact United are also thinking of offering him a coaching role! 

These players clearly state that Old is Gold and Age is Just a Number and state of the Mind. With such experienced players in the squad there is no reason for failure and wins and silverware are guaranteed!