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If you can't win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their visit to Forest, Man Utd had secured just eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure any from the previous six games when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Forest overturned a contentious first-half opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side fought back to draw could not have been more straightforward.

Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as forceful.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, I believe so."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why Amorim picks him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of October, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

In this game, the manager believed his players demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad short period and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a different sensation. You can sense we could not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, actually the opposite indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival any rest.

The coach was questioned exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Beyond saying the self-belief generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend one another better. We communicate more about this.

"We proved this season we can experience difficult periods but then, 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 played the game. Today, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when United showed their resilience, it was also a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their roles in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely players who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that category. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his four top-flight substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the number is 138 from seven.

Not one has begun a league game so far and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team 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 stop the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the guys in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is now considering the idea of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a time which features a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of squad changes unseen before.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo should be back long before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later resolution than any wantaway individual would like.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," commented the coach, when asked specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

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