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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained only eight points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a disputed first-half goal, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to the manager after his side fought back to tie could not have been more straightforward.

'If that game occurred last season, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a spectacular volleyed strike from just outside the box late in the game to secure a point.

It's been clear since the start of the season that Manchester United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

The resolve, the will, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

In this game, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," said the coach. "Now is a different feeling. You can sense we could not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other better. We talk more about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this season we can experience bad moments but suddenly, we produce three strong performances.

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Today, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team showed their resilience, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their futures in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach stated it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at danger of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the winter signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four top-flight cameo roles this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from seven.

Not one has begun a Premier League game this season and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United sought a way back into a game they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change anything with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is now considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a period which features a few weekday matches which will demand a level of squad changes unseen before.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be returned long before the signing period closes on 2 February - which could result in a delayed outcome than any wantaway individual would prefer.

"It is the characteristics of the game," said Amorim, when asked directly about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's only a phase.

"It isn't related to ability - and we have a lot of games."