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

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had secured just eight points from deficit situations with their manager. They had failed to secure any from the previous six games when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a disputed first-half opener, United were facing defeat.

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

'If that game occurred last season, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was just as emphatic.

"Yes, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

We can never know the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

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

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

In this match, the manager felt his squad demonstrated they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we might not win this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a major club sometimes has to have."

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

The attacker is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward 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.

Amorim was asked precisely what had led to the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

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

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the game. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Over Futures of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a day when United showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim said it was likely players who believe they are at risk of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Not one has started a Premier League match so far and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United sought a way back into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the guys in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is currently open to the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a period which features a few midweek games which will demand a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be back well before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than any eager to leave player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the game," said the coach, when questioned directly about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

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