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

Before their visit to Forest, Man Utd had earned just eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the previous six games when they found themselves behind since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a disputed first-half goal, United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been more straightforward.

'If that game occurred last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was equally decisive.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, in my opinion."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player showed why the coach picks him at defensive wing by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to earn a draw.

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

The resolve, the will, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

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

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond saying the confidence generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally different," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We communicate more about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Now, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when United showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look squad.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach said it was likely members of the squad who think they are at danger of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his four Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from seven.

Neither has begun a Premier League match this season and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a route to recovery into a game they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a great deal of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to move to Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not sanction a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is currently open to the idea of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which includes a few midweek games which will require a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be back well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which could result in a delayed resolution than any wantaway player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when asked specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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