Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has defended captain Cristian Romero despite his second red card of the season, calling the 27-year-old Argentine defender a "leader" who needs to control his aggression. Romero was sent off for a tackle on Manchester United's Casemiro during Saturday's 2-0 defeat, earning a four-game suspension that will keep him sidelined until mid-March.

Frank acknowledged Romero's passionate playing style while emphasizing the need for discipline, noting that even experienced players continue learning about leadership. The manager compared Romero's development to his own at age 30, suggesting the defender is still maturing despite wearing the captain's armband. Frank has rejected calls to strip Romero of his captaincy following the incident.

The red card compounds Tottenham's injury crisis, with defender Destiny Udogie also ruled out for four to five weeks with hamstring damage. The club has just 11 fit senior players available, and winger Dejan Kulusevski remains sidelined since May with a knee injury. Following a seven-game winless run in the Premier League, Spurs sit 15th in the table, six points above the relegation zone. Frank admitted the club faces a desperate fight to climb the standings and secure their top-flight status.

Quick Fact: Romero's red card against Manchester United was his second sending-off of the 2024-25 season.