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If you can't triumph, don't lose - so the old saying goes.

Prior to their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned only eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort secured a tie.

When they went down at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious first-half opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side fought back to tie could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was just as forceful.

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

We can never know the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the box late in the game to earn a point.

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

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

In this game, the manager believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that too.

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Now is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a feeling a major club sometimes must possess."

The manager didn't mention it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and the winger likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond saying the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We talk increased about these aspects.

"We proved this season we can have difficult periods but then, we produce three strong performances.

"It's essential to be inside the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the game. Today, the feeling was different."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Futures of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a day when the team showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their futures in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim said it was likely players who believe they are at risk of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has begun a Premier League match this season and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of talent on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the guys in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the last days of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is currently considering the idea of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which features a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be returned well before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which may mean a later resolution than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"It is the demands of the game," commented Amorim, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's only a phase.

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