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If you can't triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained merely eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had not got a single point 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 went down at the City Ground after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a disputed first-half opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was just as emphatic.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach picks him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to earn a point.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the season that Manchester United are playing better this season. Since the start of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

The determination, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

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

"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Now is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not win this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

The attacker 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 gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will not give an opponent any rest.

Amorim was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond saying the self-belief generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely changed," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk more about this.

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

"It's essential to be inside the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Remains Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United displayed their resilience, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their futures in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was possible players who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fall into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a Premier League match so far and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as United sought a way back into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow 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 not to change anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now open to the possibility of a return to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a period which includes a few weekday matches which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

Since the final is on January 18th, the pair should be returned long before the signing period ends on 2 February - which could result in a delayed resolution than any wantaway individual would like.

"This is about the demands of the sport," commented the coach, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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