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Harry Maguire believes Manchester United are playing better this season despite their dire run of form.

Maguire's 91st-minute header spared United of a fourth defeat in ten games to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night but United have won two of their six Premier League matches.

Liverpool and Tottenham inflicted successive 3-0 league losses on United at Old Trafford and there is mounting uncertainty over manager Erik ten Hag's position.

United head to fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday, having won home and away against Villa last term. Maguire is in line for a recall amid centre back Matthijs de Ligt's struggles.

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"Yes, we've got to find belief within ourselves," Maguire said. "Take the belief from what we did last season at Villa Park. It was on fire last season there. Then we went there and got the victory that we needed last season.

"And we feel like we're playing better than we were last season. The results haven't been there. Obviously, the performance was really poor against Spurs. Apart from that, I feel like we should have more points on the board. But they're not, so we need to do something about it starting with Sunday.

"Tough game. But what a great place to go, play football and try and get three points. Of course . I've been here... this is my sixth season now and I know what it's about.

"And I know that you go through difficult moments and everything, everyone piles on you. And difficult times, you've got to come through and you've got to stick together within the group.

"The 11 bodies go out there and play football. You've got to stick together within the team, within the squad and have that belief that you can go there and get the three points. Because we've proven over the last couple of seasons with the manager that we can beat anybody when we perform. But the problem has been consistency and we need to start showing that."

United have conceded at least three goals in 24 matches under Ten Hag, more than any other Premier League side since the Dutchman was appointed in May 2022.

Ten Hag fielded the same back four that was breached three times by Tottenham in Porto, who scored two goals within seven first-half minutes before going ahead in the 50th minute.

"No, obviously it's not good enough," Maguire admitted. "For sure, we've got to do more. But as a footballer, it's easy to look around and blame other people and blame your teammate or blame the staff or the tactics. You've got to look at yourself.

"We're the ones that go on the pitch. We're the ones that have to defend. You've got to take responsibility. And each and every one of us has got to do better in these moments. Got to do better.

"When we're under pressure, I feel like as a team over the last couple of years, I'd say last year or so, every time we've been under pressure in games, we've ended up conceding and that can't happen. We've got to be able to withstand that pressure. Have better principles within ourselves. And like I said, I think we've got to up the tempo when we're defending our box a lot better."

Maguire was omitted from Lee Carsley's second England squad on Thursday but spoke to the interim coach on the morning of the announcement. Maguire, 31, was "surprised" and "disappointed" by Carsley's call but is still upbeat about his international future.

"I've had a chat with the manager this morning and he spoke about his reasons," Maguire explained. "He told me I'm a big part of the future. And he just wants to see the other lads playing in this camp. And he doesn't want to take me if I'm not going to start either game, which is fair enough. I'll go away, get some rest.

"Of course I'm disappointed. I want to play every game for England. And it's something that I've done throughout the last seven years of my career. So I'm disappointed.

"But I know where he's coming from and I've got to make sure that I perform when I'm on the pitch and give him no option to leave me out.

"I played in his first game in charge and yes, I did really well. I did really well at Ireland. There's no hiding away from that. So, no, I was a little bit surprised, I must say.

"But obviously I back his decision and he's told me I'm part of the future. So we'll see what comes in November."