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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their journey to Forest, Man Utd had secured merely 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the previous six matches when they trailed since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort snatched a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Forest overturned a contentious opening period goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been any clearer.

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

The answer was just as emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular volleyed strike from near the edge of the box late in the game to earn a point.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this game, Amorim felt his squad demonstrated they have improved at that as well.

"In the past, if we had this kind of poor short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we don't recover," stated Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we could not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a major club sometimes must possess."

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

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a footballer who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned precisely what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, of course, is totally different," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We communicate more about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this year we can experience difficult periods but then, we produce three strong performances.

"We just need to remain inside the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was different."

Doubt Lingers Over Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

If this was a occasion when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more unsure of their roles in the manager's new-look squad.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was possible members of the squad who think they are at danger of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four top-flight substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.

Not one has begun a league game so far and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as United sought a route to recovery into a game they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in place to move to Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now open to the idea of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which includes a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the duo should be returned long before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed resolution than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "The players understand it's only a phase.

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