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

Prior to their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned just 8 points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial first-half goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The question to the manager 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 response was equally emphatic.

"Yes, and by more goals, I believe so."

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by scoring a spectacular volleyed strike from just outside the box nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

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

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

In this match, Amorim felt his squad showed they have improved at that as well.

"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 distinct feeling. You can sense we might not win this game but we are not going to lose. 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 Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the self-belief gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We communicate more about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a day when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look squad.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach stated it was likely players who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Neither has started a league game so far and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a lot of quality on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a agreement in progress to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is now open to the idea of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which features a few midweek games which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned long before the signing period ends on 2 February - which could result in a delayed resolution than any eager to leave player would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," said the coach, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

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