The Old Ones are the Best Ones. By Andrew Walker

At the time of writing, Manchester United are three-fifths of the way towards the unprecedented ‘quintuple’. So it is no surprise to see that United players now make up the bookies’ top four favourites for Footballer of the Year.

Our pick for the award is Ryan Giggs, who recently celebrated the amazing eighteen-year anniversary of his first team debut. Giggs is not alone in enjoying something of an Indian summer, as a handful of legendary players strive to prove the theory that, while form is temporary, class is permanent.

Here are four of our favourites…

1.    Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)

A mercurial winger for most of his career, Giggs has remodelled himself in recent times in a more flexible midfield role. As the most decorated footballer of his time, he clearly has the big-game mentality, so it is no wonder he is still one of the first names on Sir Alex’s team sheet for the really important matches. Giggs certainly inspired all around him with a superb individual display in the 3-0 annihilation of one-time title rivals Chelsea.

Still capable of the old wing-wizardry, as his recent jinking run and finish against West Ham proved.

2.    Raul Gonzalez (Real Madrid)

The original ‘Galactico’, Raul was banging in goals at the Bernabeu long before the club began their insatiable pursuit of superstar footballers. One might argue that his true value was overshadowed in the era of Zidane, Figo, Beckham et al. But following a change of tack in Real’s transfer dealings (they now only sign Dutchmen), Raul’s light is shining brighter than ever.

Recent evidence – breaking Di Stefano’s club goal scoring record, and two goals of sublime, almost impudent quality in the 6-1 stuffing of Real Betis.

3.    Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)

The Old Lady’s favourite son has been Juve’s figurehead ever since the 1996 European Cup winning side disbanded. Despite an already stellar career for club and country, he is getting better with age. At the age of 33, he scored a personal best 21 goals in Serie A to win his first Capocannonieri. That stunning form has continued into this season. Del Piero has arguably been the 08/09 Champions League’s MVP to date, having scored three times in wins over Real Madrid. The Italian received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu fans following his spectacular brace in a 2-0 win – and they know a player when they see one.

4.    Paul Scholes (Manchester United)

The creative central hub of what many deem the identikit midfield four (Beckham, Giggs, Scholes & Keane), Paul Scholes has been a consistent performer for United well into his thirties.

Since his game was never based on pace, and certainly not about tackling, he has not lost much with his advancing years. Yet even in a league increasingly dominated by physical power, he is living proof that intelligent passing is still a powerful weapon. And, as Ferguson recently revealed, he can hit a urinating teammate flush on the head with unerring accuracy from 60 yards – now that is class!

While these players are undoubted legends of the game, all four have at some point been considered ‘past their best’. Is there a trend that links their apparent renaissances?

They have lived their entire careers in what we might call ‘the modern era’ of football. This covers the revamping of the European Cup into the juggernaut that is the UEFA Champions League. For Giggs and Scholes, it also encompasses the onset of the Premiership, supported and promoted by Rupert Murdoch’s Sky TV revolution.

The high profile nature of this period has created a greater professionalism and all these players have been superb professionals, on and off the field, rarely occupying the front pages of the newspapers.

They have all also been one-club men (the pernickety will point out that Del Piero started out at Padova as a teenager), which in the Bosman era is an admirable feat. This stability has helped these players to grace the highest level for the best part of two decades.

As we enter the business end of the 08/09 Champions League, it will come as no surprise if messrs Giggs, Raul, Del Piero & Scholes are writing yet more headlines.