Former Manchester United skipper Steve Bruce has advised under-fire Harry Maguire to play on through his nightmare season.
Newcastle boss Bruce, who signed Maguire for Hull City, is convinced he has the mental strength to emerge from his England sending off, poor form and Greek arrest.
Maguire is an “injury doubt” for United as coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to protect his £80m defender.
Bruce said: “He’s your captain. The only way you can get out of these situations, when things are against you, is to play.
"I know the type of person Harry is, a genuinely good pro and good lad. It’s the first time in four or five years, he’s had a bit of a blip.
“He’s had a wonderful rise, from Hull to Leicester to captain of Man United.
“We can all get sent off. But the one thing you need to do is encourage him, and keep playing him. That way, he can play his way out of it. He needs a steady weekend to get him up and running again.
“The one thing about playing for Man U and being captain is you are under the spotlight. But he is a level headed lad.
“With Harry, he has borne the brunt. He has to batten down the hatches like we all do when under the pump. He will be fine. He has the ability.
“I’ve got enough to manage at my club to delve into Harry Maguire at Man U. Ole has to make that decision so I will let him make that and just get on quietly.”
Bruce says United's 6-1 defeat to Spurs was caused by going down to ten men, and a lack of home advantage at Old Trafford.
He has “sympathy” for Solskjaer, and expects a “backlash”.
Bruce added: “There is no advantage playing at Old Trafford now unless they have the supporters there, a bit like St James'. No advantage of playing at home, whatsoever.
"We have to remember they played a large chunk of the game with ten men. It is hard enough playing against Spurs, even for Man United with ten men.
“They have had a bad result and we have to be wary of them. Of the backlash. Wary they will be hurt and disappointed.
"They will be wanting to erase that. We are next up which makes it difficult. We have to guard against all that. What makes them big players at Man U is the ability to respond.
"I have sympathy for every Premier League manager because we are all under the pump. One result away from it. Especially when you are manager of Man U.
"I know Ole and he is a determined so-and-so. He will be determined to put it right.”
