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

Before their journey to Forest, Man Utd had earned just 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had not got any from the past six matches when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal secured a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest overturned a disputed first-half opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to the manager after his side fought back to tie 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 decisive.

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

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a point.

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

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

In this game, Amorim believed his players showed they have improved at that as well.

"In the past, if we had such a poor five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally must possess."

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

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

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

Amorim was asked precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond saying the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely different," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand each other better. We talk more about this.

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

"It's essential to be inside the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Now, the feeling was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Futures of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when United displayed their resilience, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim stated it was possible members of the squad who think they are at risk of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has started a league match so far and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a great deal of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better 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 last days of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. The striker was returning from injury but is now open to the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of December, a period which includes a few midweek games which will require a level of squad changes unseen before.

As the final is on January 18th, the duo should be back long before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than any eager to leave player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," commented the coach, when asked directly about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's only a phase.

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