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

Prior to their journey to Forest, Manchester United had secured only eight points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the past six matches when they trailed since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a disputed first-half opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

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

Had that match happened last season, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was equally decisive.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

We can never know the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

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

The resolve, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

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

"In the past, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Now is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a big team occasionally must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an opponent any rest.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely changed," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk more about this.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Now, the feeling was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly unsure of their futures in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was possible players who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fit into that category. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a league match so far and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as United sought a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a deal in place to move to Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is currently considering the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of December, a time which features a few weekday matches which will require a level of squad changes not previously needed.

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

"This is about the characteristics of the game," said the coach, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's just a moment.

"It's nothing to do with ability - and we have a many fixtures."