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When you cannot win, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had secured just eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six matches when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a tie.

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

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been more direct.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally forceful.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant 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 performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

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

"In the past, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a different 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 has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, on the contrary in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will not give an opponent any rest.

Amorim was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We communicate increased about this.

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

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we played the encounter. Today, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Futures of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their futures in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim said it was likely players who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that category. Zirkzee 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 game so far and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as United chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is currently considering the idea of a move back to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of December, a period which features a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes unseen before.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be back long before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than any eager to leave individual 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 temporary.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a many games."