Our no.7 is the Reds' leading goalscorer this term but missed the Emirates FA Cup win over Aston Villa on Monday night due to a minor injury.

At 36, he believes he still has plenty of years at the top because he feels, genetically, he is much younger and is supported by his famed long-term fitness regime.

However, he stresses the mental side of things is becoming more and more crucial in enabling him to compete with younger opponents.

"I feel happy to be a player who has shown who, in my case, longevity has been a crucial factor for me to keep playing at a high level, putting in good performances," he told ESPN.

"Genetically, I feel like I'm 30 years old. I take great care of my body and my mind. Something I've learned recently is that, after 33, I believe the body can deliver if you need it but the real battle is mental.

"Going through many things with the focus on the end-goal of staying at a high level is the hardest thing and that's what I've been doing for the last few years.

"I've been working and focusing more on working on my mind. I know my body will handle me because I have a lot of respect for it and I listen to it a lot.

"Life has to have important moments, for better or for worse, but, when you fall, you must have the strength to get up. I'm happy, I want to stay here and see what will happen.

"I want to find out if I'm going to play until I'm 40, 41, or 42, but the most important thing is that my daily goal is to enjoy the moment."

Edwin van der Sar is United's oldest Premier League player - he was 205 days past his 40th birthday when making his final domestic appearance against Blackpool at Old Trafford in 2011.

Ryan Giggs was also 40 and is our oldest outfield performer in the division - his last outing came when introducing himself as a substitute against Hull City while in caretaker charge of the side. Of course, the former Wales international played with Ronaldo during the Portugal forward's first stint in Manchester and also had superb levels of fitness.

Cristiano has moved past Michael Carrick into eighth spot in terms of our oldest Premier League players.

UNITED'S OLDEST PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS

1. Edwin van der Sar (40, 2011)
2. Ryan Giggs (40, 2014)
3. Raimond van der Gouw (39, 2002)
4. Paul Scholes (38, 2013)
5. Laurent Blanc (37, 2003)
6. Bryan Robson (37, 1994)
7. Andy Goram (37, 2001)
8. CRISTIANO RONALDO (36, 2022)
9. Michael Carrick (36, 2018)
10.Denis Irwin (36, 2002)