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If you can't win, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their trip to Forest, Manchester United had earned just 8 points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest overturned a contentious opening period opener, United were facing defeat.

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

'If that game occurred last season, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was just as emphatic.

"Yes, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational first-time volley from just outside the box late in the game to earn a draw.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the campaign that Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this match, Amorim believed his squad showed they have got better at that as well.

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Now is a different feeling. It's evident we could not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally must possess."

The manager didn't mention it, but the arrival of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

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

Amorim was questioned exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally changed," he said. "Following three good games and we have a newfound confidence. We understand one another better. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the encounter. Now, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

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

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has started a Premier League match this season and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," said the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the players in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

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

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be back long before the signing period ends on 2 February - which could result in a delayed resolution than what wantaway individual would like.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," said the coach, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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