UNITED'S OLD GUARD HAVE REASONS TO BE PROUD

In Manchester United's recent win at West Bromwich Albion, it was notable that the back five was made up of players who have been at the club for some time, having all been signed by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

While the observers who obsess about transfers may object to seeing so many long-serving stars in the line-up, it is a testament to the players' durability and character that David De Gea, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Ashley Young all remain as vital cogs in the United machine.
It is clearly a positive in a fast-paced football world where faces on the field increasingly come and go with great regularity. These five individuals have previously won the Premier League at the club and have vital experience to pass on to newer members of the squad.
With almost 1,250 appearances between them, their longevity deserves to be celebrated as they enjoy a break in Dubai ahead of a return to Manchester to fight for more success at home and abroad.
We asked centre-back Smalling recently about what this said of the quintet's resolve and their value to the cause. "I think a club like Manchester United is always striving for the best," he said. "Always looking to improve the team and we have had some good acquisitions over the years.
"But I think the fact we have stayed strong, and we have been able to be a good part of the group over these years we have been here, is a true testament to all of us.
"When you sit down and think how long it's been, it's fantastic. You can never rest on your laurels and it is a case of always improving because a club like Manchester United is always striving for the best and, to be the best, you need to make sure you are always in form."
Smalling's partner in the middle at The Hawthorns, England colleague Jones, echoed those sentiments when he was asked to look back at the recent hectic spell of fixtures.
"I don't like to reflect too much during the season," said Jones in last week's United Review. "It's after the season when you can reflect and evaluate your own and the team's collective performance.
"I think I have done reasonably well, though - now I just want to keep playing in as many games as possible. I just want to keep playing football because it's what I enjoy, what I love, and I want to play the best I can and always improve.
"Making sure you keep improving is the main aim because you can always improve and always learn different things."
The pressure for places is always intense at Old Trafford, and that will continue to be the case for the remainder of this campaign, but the long-established old guard at the back have shown manager Jose Mourinho that they can be counted upon to produce the goods.
FIVE STALWARTS AT THE BACKAntonio Valencia - Signed: 30/6/2009. Appearances: 312.
Chris Smalling - Signed: 7/7/2010. Appearances: 268.
David De Gea - Signed: 1/7/2011. Appearances: 296.
Phil Jones - Signed: 1/7/2011. Appearances: 184.
Ashley Young - Signed: 1/7/2011. Appearances: 183.