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

Prior to their trip to Forest, Man Utd had gained just eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had not got any from the previous six games when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they were behind at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest reversed a contentious first-half opener, United were staring down the barrel.

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

Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally emphatic.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, that is my feeling."

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular volleyed strike from near the edge of the box late in the game to secure a draw.

It has been obvious since the start of the campaign that United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this match, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that too.

"In the past, if we had this kind of poor short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a major club sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered 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 energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from saying the confidence generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a newfound assurance. We understand each other more effectively. We communicate more about this.

"We proved this season we can have difficult periods but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

"We just need to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Now, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when United showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their futures in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at risk of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fall into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his four Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is 138 from 7.

Neither has begun a Premier League match this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal 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," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of the winter, a time which features a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

As the championship match is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be back long before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed resolution than any eager to leave individual would like.

"It is the characteristics of the game," commented the coach, when questioned directly about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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