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

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had secured only eight points from deficit situations with their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a disputed opening period opener, United were facing defeat.

The question to the manager after his side fought back to tie could not have been more straightforward.

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

The answer was just as decisive.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, I believe so."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the box late in the game to secure a point.

It's been clear since the start of the season that Manchester United are playing better this season. Since the start of autumn, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

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 a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Now is a distinct feeling. It's evident we could not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a big team occasionally must possess."

The manager didn't mention it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, on the contrary in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will not give an rival any rest.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond saying the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend each other better. We talk more about this.

"We demonstrated this season we can experience bad moments but suddenly, we have three good games.

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a day when United showed their resilience, it was additionally a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim stated it was possible members of the squad who think they are at risk of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the winter signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fall into that category. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has started a Premier League game this season and nor 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 quality on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to move to Napoli in the last days of the summer window but United would not sanction a deal. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which features a few midweek games which will demand a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be returned long before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than what eager to leave individual would like.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," said the coach, when asked directly about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

"It isn't related to ability - and we have a many games."