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

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had earned only eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six matches when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal secured a tie.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a controversial first-half goal, United were facing defeat.

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

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

The answer was equally forceful.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, I believe so."

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to secure a draw.

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

The resolve, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

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

"In the past, if we had such a poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Now is a different sensation. It's evident we could not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

The forward is a constant threat, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain inside the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim said it was possible members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a league match so far and neither were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee 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 the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a period which includes a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

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

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

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