Top 5 players over 30 in 2013

5. Michael Carrick (32)

Although he hasn’t really hit the ground running this season, Michael Carrick did enough in the latter part of 2012-13 season to find a place in this list.

Last season, Carrick played the most games in the league for United (36 times), as they won the league with a couple of matches still to be played. So vital was his impact, that the men he played with were obliged to recognize it.

He won the Manchester United Players’ Player of the Year for the 2012-13 season for his crucial contribution in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season as manager. He was the essential cog in United’s midfield that won the league last term and his contribution can only be matched by Robin van Persie. His form in the second half of last season saw all the technical and positional qualities in his game come to the fore.