Nemanja Vidic has held Ryan Giggs up as the perfect role model for any young player.
Giggs signed a one-year contract extension that will allow him to complete an incredible 19th season at Manchester United.
Already the 35-year-old is the most decorated player in English football history and given United's present dominance, the chances are Giggs will be adding to his collection over the next 18 months.
Vidic has been a team-mate for just three years of Giggs' near two-decade stint. Yet the Serbia defender has been around long enough to be aware of the standards Giggs sets.
And, should any player ever ask Vidic for the finest example of a professional footballer, he would have no hesitation putting the Welshman's name forward.
"Young players need to look at Ryan," he said.
"He is a complete professional and any young player can learn from him about how to develop themselves and how to have a big career and a long career.
"He has done very well this season and I am glad he has signed a new contract and will be part of this squad for another 18 months."
It is only a week ago at West Ham that Giggs - set to be followed in his successful contract negotiations by skipper Gary Neville - sauntered in off the touchline and scored a magnificent goal to put the Red Devils back to the Premier League summit.
"He has been at this level for 18 years," said Vidic. "To do that at Manchester United is not easy.
"In order to keep winning trophies for that long you don't just need football ability, you must be mentally tough as well."
Giggs' greatest goal was his memorable solo run and finish against Arsenal, voted the best ever in the FA Cup.
Having failed to become the first player for well over a century to complete a fifth win in the competition two years ago when United were beaten in the final at Wembley by Chelsea, victory over Derby at Pride Park on Sunday would leave Giggs just three wins away from making amends.
United have already been to the midlands outfit once this season, 24 hours after Nigel Clough had been installed as permanent successor to sacked Paul Jewell.
They were beaten too as Kris Commons lashed home the winner.
On that occasion, the Red Devils, who have Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans available but not Wayne Rooney who has been given extra time to get over his hamstring injury, had another game to tidy up the mess.
There will be no such safety net this time around if United lose again.
But Vidic, knowing the stakes are high, is not expecting a repeat.
"We only have one game this time around and we know it will be hard," he stated.
"Derby will want to finish it tomorrow as well. They don't want to come to Old Trafford because they know it will be more difficult for them there.
"They have a good team and the atmosphere will be quite intense.
"But we have the experience from last time and if we take our chances, I am sure we can do well.
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