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If you can't win, don't lose - so the old saying goes.

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

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest reversed a controversial first-half opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been more direct.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It's been clear 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 determination, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

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

"In the past, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a major club sometimes must possess."

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

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the badge on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the confidence generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally changed," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We communicate increased about this.

"We demonstrated this year we can have bad moments but suddenly, we produce three strong performances.

"We just need to remain inside the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Over Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their roles in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was likely members of the squad who believe they are at danger of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from seven.

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

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a time which includes a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the final is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be returned well before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed resolution than what wantaway player would like.

"It is the demands of the game," said Amorim, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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