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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Before their visit to Forest, Manchester United had earned only 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest overturned a controversial opening period opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been any clearer.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The response was equally forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a spectacular volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

The resolve, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.

In this match, the manager felt his squad demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Now is a different sensation. You can sense we might not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

Amorim didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely different," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. We understand one another better. We talk increased about this.

"We proved this season we can experience difficult periods but then, we produce three strong performances.

"We just need to be engaged in the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Now, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach stated it was likely players who believe they are at risk of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the number is 138 from 7.

Not one has begun a league game this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as United chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now considering the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of the winter, a period which features a couple of weekday matches which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be back well before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which may mean a later resolution than any wantaway player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the game," said the coach, when asked directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a many games."