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When you cannot triumph, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained just eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had not got any from the previous six matches when they were losing since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal snatched a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest overturned a controversial first-half goal, 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 believe 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 reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the start of the season that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of October, they have additionally been getting better results.

The determination, the desire, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

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

"Previously, if we had such a poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Now is a different sensation. It's evident we could not win this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a major club occasionally must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, on the contrary in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

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

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely different," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We communicate increased about this.

"We demonstrated this year we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

"We just need to remain inside the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the encounter. Today, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a occasion when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their roles in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim said it was likely players who believe they are at risk of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his four Premier League cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the number is 138 from seven.

Not one has started a league game so far and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team sought a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a great deal of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in place to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but United would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now considering the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a period which features a few weekday matches which will require a level of squad changes unseen before.

As the final is on January 18th, the duo should be returned well before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any eager to leave player would like.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," said the coach, when asked specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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