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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - so the old saying goes.

Before their journey to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained just eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got any from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious opening period opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

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

'If that game happened last season, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, that is my feeling."

We can never know the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that Manchester United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of October, they have also been getting better results.

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

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

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we might not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a big team sometimes has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger likely contributed.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, on the contrary in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a player who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from saying the self-belief gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally different," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential 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. Now, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when the team displayed their resilience, it was also a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach said it was likely members of the squad who believe they are at risk of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles this season. For the young player, the total is 138 from seven.

Not one 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 way back into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now considering the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be returned long before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than any eager to leave individual would prefer.

"It is the characteristics of the game," commented Amorim, when questioned specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's just a moment.

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