The saying goes that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but when you've got the lot in your locker anyway - like evergreen Ryan Giggs - who cares?
As he bears down on Sir Bobby Charlton's Manchester United appearance record, and another possible league title winners' medal, Giggs has been playing as well as at any stage of his career.
Okay, so United young guns Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney (the modern day Giggs, Becks and Scholes of old) may be hogging the headlines with their goals, flair and fancy football, but Giggs refuses to be put in the shade...or put out to pasture!
The former Welsh international continues to go about his business with ruthless efficiency and professionalism - and not without the odd flash of wing wizardry for which he's famed - and it might just be that playing alongside such youthful, exuberant talent is keeping him young at heart too.
Some might have thought that with Giggsy 'getting on' and United 'moving on', he may not feature in as many games as in the previous season he has graced a United shirt with such distinction. Wrong!
Giggs, United's most decorated player, has actually started more games than Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney (!) this season, and his enthusiasm for the game, every one of which is special, shows no sign of waning. Bit like the gaffer really.
Last month saw Giggs reach yet another United milestone - his 100th league goal, against Derby - and Sir Alex Ferguson led the tributes afterwards, saying: "Not many players have scored 100 league goals but the service Ryan has given us, quite apart from the goals, is outstanding. Ryan is a great character, a great person and a fantastic servant to us all."
Fergie added: "Ryan Giggs epitomises the word loyalty, he signed here as a 14-year old school boy and is still with the club 20 years on. Apart from his playing ability he has a fantastic demeanour and is a great role model to the younger players. I am sure he will be at the club for a long time to come."
In the Championship, Norwich have been making a better fist of their quest to stay in the division and December was certainly a good month for the Canaries, and fans' favourte Darren Huckerby who has been voted Player of the Month in that division.
Norwich lost just one in seven games during December - winning three - and that was due in no small part to the contribution of Huckerby, who continues to excite the supporters and torment defenders with his unique brand of wing play.
Meanwhile, in League One, Kris Commons continues to show why he's rated so highly - and why Nottingham Forest might well be bombarded with offers for their star man during the transfer window.
"I hadn`t seen him in action much before I joined," reflects Forest boss Colin Calderwood, "but straight away you could see he's a talented boy." The City Ground fans who idolise him wouldn't disagree with that and they'll have fingers crossed Premiership clubs don't come knocking in January.
Finally, in League Two, the fans' Player of the Month goes to a former Forest player who has been working wonders and lending all his vast experience to the promotion cause of Chesterfield, Jack Lester.
Chesterfield have moved menancingly up to fourth on the back of four straight wins and Lester, the division's second leading scorer with 15 goals, was on target in the victories against Mansfield and, more recently, Wrexham.
December 2007 winners at-a-glance
Premiership - Ryan Giggs (Man United)
Championship - Darren Huckerby (Norwich)
League One - Kris Commons (Nott'm Forest)
League Two - Jack Lester (Chesterfield)
By Ian Clarkson 03-01-08
