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When you cannot triumph, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their visit to Forest, Manchester United had gained only 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six matches when they trailed since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial opening period opener, United were staring down the barrel.

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 you would have lost it?'

The response was equally forceful.

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

We can never know the reality. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach selects him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

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

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

In this match, the manager believed 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 a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might 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 say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely changed," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We proved this season we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three good games.

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we played the encounter. Today, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Over Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

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

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim said it was possible members of the squad who think they are at risk of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fit into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the number is 138 from 7.

Not one has started a league game this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team sought a way back into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the guys in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is now considering the possibility of a return 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 the winter, a time which includes a couple of midweek games which will require a level of rotation unseen before.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than what wantaway player would prefer.

"It is the demands of the game," commented the coach, when questioned directly about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's just a moment.

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