Guthrie received a hostile reception from Hull City's fans in the third-round FA Cup tie on Saturday, having broken Craig Fagan's leg with a wild kick when the two teams met at St James's Park back in September.

And the midfielder had a bruising afternoon on the pitch, with Fagan among the home players to foul him during the goalless draw.

But Guthrie – whose every touch was booed by Hull's supporters – did not react to the kicks.

First-team coach Chris Hughton had asked the 22-year-old and Nicky Butt to keep it tight in the middle, and he was pleased with Guthrie's contribution in particular.

"Danny kept his focus very much and played his football," Hughton told the Gazette.

"He's a good professional. He knows these things happen in football, and you're going to get some crowds that go for us, and some are going to be against you.

"He was very vocal and focused, and involved in most things. Central midfield was a big area when I looked what they had with Marney breaking on and Geovanni dropping in there at times.

"What we needed from Nicky Butt and Danny Guthrie was to have a very focused and solid performance.

"I felt Danny could perhaps have done a little better on his set plays, but he's shown great quality in the last few games."

Guthrie was served a three-game suspension for violent after his dismissal earlier in the campaign, with the incident the only blight on a promising start to his United career after a move from Liverpool last summer.