Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs have been ever-present in the Manchester United team for the past two decades, and neither of them are showing any signs of slowing down - Sir Alex Ferguson still considering the duo a key part of his squad.
United host Stoke City in Saturday's English Premier League game, knowing nothing short of three points will do - however such demands from the manager will be an everyday thing for Scholes and Giggs.
Looking ahead to the game, Scholes expects it to be far from easy, knowing Stoke will try to take advantage of United's perceived slow starts this season, even if they might have corrected that wrong against Newcastle in the previous game.
"Yes, they probably will be inspired by Tottenham, by the first 20 minutes especially," Scholes told United Review. "We can't let that happen again. Stoke have got some quality players now.
"They have had good players over the last couple of years, don't get me wrong, but I think they've stepped up even more now. It's a game we'll be hoping to win but it's one we know won't be easy."
Scholes also believes manager Tony Pulis has done a great job in not just keeping Stoke in the top tier of English soccer, but also to continue progressing.
"It's a credit to him, to his players and his staff," Scholes added. "I think in the first year or two after a club is promoted it's always about survival. But now he's taken Stoke up to a level where we just don't expect them to be down struggling near the bottom these days.
"I don't think anybody expects that with the quality of players they've brought in. They're more likely to be at least a top ten side, maybe even top six or seven. That's how far they've come."
Meanwhile, the other stalwart at United - Giggs - admitted he might contemplate going into management someday, while hinting at the possibility of retiring after this season.
"When I do finish playing, I'll try to find the next best thing," Giggs is quoted as saying by The Telegraph. "Management does interest me. The nearer I get to finishing, the more I think about it.
"All I can do is prepare myself as best I can for when I do finish. I've been doing my coaching courses with Nev (Gary Neville) -- levels one two, A-Licence. We're starting the Pro-Licence next year."
Giggs acknowledged when it comes to managing players and a big team, he has learned from the best. "I've learnt from the master here," Giggs added. "It all comes from the manager.
"You see him joking with all the staff in canteen. He knows every schoolboy's name who comes in during the holidays, every apprentice's name. It still fascinates me how he still does that."
With Giggs set to turn 39 next month, retirement cannot be too far away, but the midfielder is not too worried about that possibility. "I'm in a similar mindset that I've been for the past couple of years -- evaluate after Christmas, see how I feel, see what the manager thinks," he said.
"If I'm not enjoying it, if I'm not contributing like I have done in the last couple of years then I'll finish. I'm 39 in November. I'm not worried by it. It's been coming for a couple of years. But I'm still enjoying it. I still feel I'm contributing to the team.
"I speak to so many players who I played with, Brucey, Robbo, Denis Irwin, and they always say to me, 'Play as long as you can.' I imagine there's no substitute for the feeling you get playing, the adrenalin."
