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If you can't triumph, don't lose - so the old saying goes.

Before their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had secured merely 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had failed to secure any from the previous six games when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort snatched a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after letting in twice in a short span, as Forest reversed a controversial first-half opener, United were staring down the barrel.

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

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

The answer was equally emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from near the edge of the box late in the game to earn a draw.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the campaign that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

The determination, the desire, the refusal to give in are unquantifiables.

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

"Previously, if we had such a bad five minutes and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," said the coach. "Today is a distinct sensation. You can sense we might not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a major club occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

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

Amorim was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand each other better. We talk more about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Remains Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when the team showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their futures in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim said it was possible players who believe they are at danger of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Not one has started a league game so far and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as United chased a route to recovery into a game they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a lot of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently considering the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which features a few midweek games which will demand a degree of rotation unseen before.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be returned long before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed outcome than any wantaway individual would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the game," commented Amorim, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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