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If you can't win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained only eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had not got any from the past six matches when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial first-half opener, United were in serious trouble.

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

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

The response was just as decisive.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, I believe so."

We can never know the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from just outside the box nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the beginning of the campaign that Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

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

"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a big team occasionally must possess."

The manager didn't mention it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an rival any rest.

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

"The confidence, of course, is totally changed," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk increased about these aspects.

"We proved this season we can experience difficult periods but then, we produce three good games.

"We just need to be inside the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we played the game. Today, the feeling was different."

Doubt Lingers Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a day when United displayed their resilience, it was also a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their roles in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his before the game press conference, the coach stated it was likely members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a league match so far and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break something," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the players in front."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but United would not sanction a deal. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is currently considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a period which includes a couple of midweek games which will demand a level of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be returned long before the signing period closes on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any wantaway individual would like.

"It is the characteristics of the game," commented Amorim, when asked directly about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

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