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

Before their visit to Forest, Manchester United had secured only 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got a single point from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a controversial opening period opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

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

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

The response was equally decisive.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

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

"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we could not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a big team sometimes has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another better. We talk more about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to be inside the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Today, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a occasion when United displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was likely players who believe they are at danger of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from seven.

Not one has begun a league match so far and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as United chased a way back into a game they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to move to Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of the winter, a period which features a few midweek games which will require a level of rotation unseen before.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be back well before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later outcome than any eager to leave individual would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," commented Amorim, when asked specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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