Zlatan Ibrahimovic was recently named by Yaya Touré as the ultimate role model for career longevity, the beacon of hope for footballers approaching their mid-thirties.

Yet while Ibrahimovic continues to defy logic, critics and the ravages of time at Manchester United, there is another Premier League player ageing gracefully and in the form of his life.

West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley turned 37 in December but has more league goals this season (six) than Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge – despite being a defender.

He is a key player in the makeover under Tony Pulis that is becoming one of the uplifting stories of the season, playing every minute of every league game and feeling so confident he has even pulled off a Cruyff turn in his own penalty area.

Albion fans chant that he is better than John Terry and his performances have been so consistent it seems remarkable that McAuley is the oldest outfield player in the top flight.