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

Prior to their journey to Forest, Man Utd had earned just 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure any from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a draw.

When they went down at the stadium after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest overturned a controversial opening period goal, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been more straightforward.

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

The answer was just as emphatic.

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

We can never know the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the box late in the game to earn a draw.

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

The determination, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.

In this game, the manager believed his squad showed they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a big team sometimes has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo 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 believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will not give an rival any rest.

Amorim was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the confidence generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is completely different," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We communicate more about these aspects.

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

"We just need to be inside the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a day when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was possible players who believe they are at risk of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that bracket. The forward has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from seven.

Not one has started a league match this season and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United chased a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not sanction a transfer. The striker was coming back from injury but is now open to the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a time which features a couple of midweek games which will demand a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the duo should be back well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than any eager to leave individual would like.

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

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