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

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had secured just 8 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 spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they went down at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a disputed first-half goal, United were staring down the barrel.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been more direct.

'If that game occurred the previous campaign, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.

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 getting better results.

The determination, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.

In this match, the manager felt his players showed they have improved at that as well.

"In the past, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. You can sense we could not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a big team sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, on the contrary 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 - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We talk increased about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this year we can have bad moments but then, we produce three good games.

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the game. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Futures of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach stated it was possible members of the squad who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that category. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League cameo roles this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Neither has begun a league match this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change anything with the players in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to move to 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 open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of the winter, a time which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be back well before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any eager to leave player would like.

"It is the demands of the sport," said the coach, when questioned directly about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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