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If you can't win, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had earned only 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they went down at the City Ground after conceding twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a controversial opening period goal, United were staring down the barrel.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been more straightforward.

Had that match happened last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The response was just as emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, I believe so."

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that the young player showed why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the box late in the game to secure a draw.

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

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

In this game, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Now is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not win the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a big team occasionally has to have."

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

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a player who will not give an rival any rest.

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally different," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this year we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three good games.

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the game. Today, the feeling was different."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly unsure of their futures in the manager's revamped Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely players who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.

Not one has begun a Premier League game so far and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as United chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to break something," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a deal in place to join Napoli in the last days of the summer window but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is now considering the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a time which includes a couple of midweek games which will require a level of squad changes not previously needed.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be returned well before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than any wantaway individual would prefer.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," said the coach, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's only a phase.

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