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When you cannot win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained merely 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure any from the previous six matches when they were losing since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious first-half goal, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The question 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 it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was just as emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach picks him at wing-back by scoring a spectacular volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area late in the game to earn a point.

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

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

In this match, the manager believed his players showed they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a bad 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 this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a major club sometimes must possess."

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

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an opponent any rest.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an answer.

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

"We proved this year we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

"We just need to be inside the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the encounter. Now, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team displayed their resilience, it was also a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, the coach stated it was possible members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has started a league game this season and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a lot of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is now open to the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a time which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of squad changes unseen before.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be back long before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than what wantaway player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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