Everyone keeps pushing – Harry Maguire demands Man Utd stick together

The struggling Red Devils desperately need a shot in the arm after last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham was made even worse on Thursday in Portugal.

United squandered a two-goal lead against Porto and were threatened with defeat in the Europa League until super substitute Maguire secured a 3-3 draw with a powerful header in stoppage time.

The result did little to improve the mood at a club that desperately needed a positive performance and result at in-form Villa on Sunday.

“This is now my sixth season and I know what it’s about,” said the 31-year-old. “I know you go through difficult moments and everything, everyone is throwing themselves at you.

“In difficult times you have to persevere, stick together within the group and believe that you can get there and get the three points.

“We have proven in the last two seasons with the coach that we can beat anyone with our performance. But the problem was consistency and we have to show that.”

Asked about such problems and conceding three or more goals in 24 different games under Ten Hag, Maguire said: “No, obviously it’s not good enough. Of course we still need to do more.

“But as a footballer it’s easy to look around and blame the team-mates or the staff or the tactics. You have to look at yourself.

“We are the ones who go on the pitch. We are the ones who have to defend.

“You have to take responsibility and each and every one of us has to do better in these moments.”

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sidestepped a question about Ten Hag’s future after the draw at Porto, which left United with just three wins from their opening ten games and facing a Villa side that had been hit by their memorable win against Bayern Munich was inspired.

But despite the results, Maguire takes heart from February’s late 2-1 win at Villa Park and recent performances.

“We have to find the faith within ourselves and take the faith from what we did at Villa Park last season,” Maguire said.

“We went there and got the win we needed. And we have the feeling that we are playing better than last season.

“The results weren’t there. Obviously the performance against Spurs was really bad. That being said, I think we should have more points on the board.

“But that’s not the case, so we have to do something about it from Sunday. Tough game but what a great place to play.”

United need a positive result before the international break, which Maguire will spend outside England.

Maguire won his 64th cap in interim coach Lee Carsley’s first game as manager but was not named in the squad for the Nations League doubleheader in October.

“I spoke to the manager and he spoke about his reasons,” said Maguire.

“He told me I’m a big part of the future and he just wants to see the other guys play in this camp and he doesn’t want to take me if I don’t start in either game, which is fair.

“I’m going to go away and rest. Of course I’m disappointed. I want to play every game for England and I have done that for the last seven years of my career, so I’m disappointed.

“But I know where he’s coming from and I have to make sure I perform to the best of my ability on the pitch and don’t give him an opportunity to leave me out.

“I played in his first game as manager and, yeah, I did really well. There’s no hiding from that, so I was a little surprised, I have to say.

“But obviously I support his decision and he has told me that I am part of the future. So we’ll see what happens in November.”