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If you can't triumph, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Prior to their visit to Forest, Man Utd had secured just 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had failed to secure any from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal secured a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest reversed a contentious opening period opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been more straightforward.

Had that match occurred last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The response was just as decisive.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach picks him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the box late in the game to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the season that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of October, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this game, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we could not win the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a major club sometimes must possess."

The manager didn't say it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt 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.

The coach was questioned precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely changed," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another better. We communicate increased about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this season we can have difficult periods but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

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

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when United showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their futures in the manager's revamped squad.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim stated it was likely players who believe they are at risk of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that category. The forward 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 started a league match so far and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to break something," said Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change anything with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is currently considering the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which features a few weekday matches which will require a degree of rotation unseen before.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be back long before the signing period closes on 2 February - which may mean a delayed resolution than what eager to leave individual would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," said the coach, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

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