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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned only eight points from deficit situations with their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a disputed opening period opener, United were facing defeat.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been more straightforward.

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

The answer was equally forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim selects him at wing-back by scoring a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to earn a point.

It has been obvious since the start of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of October, they have also been getting better results.

The resolve, the will, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

In this match, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a major club sometimes has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the arrival of Matheus Cunha and the winger likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a player who will not give an opponent any rest.

The coach was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from saying the self-belief generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk more about this.

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

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

Doubt Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a day when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their roles in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim said it was possible players who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has begun a Premier League match so far and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as United chased a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is now open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a period which features a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any eager to leave individual would prefer.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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