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If you can't triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained merely eight points from deficit situations under their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial opening period opener, United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been any clearer.

Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area late in the game to earn a draw.

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

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

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

"In the past, if we had such a poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Now is a different feeling. You can sense we might not win this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

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

The attacker is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an opponent any rest.

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is totally different," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We communicate increased about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this season we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we have three good games.

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the encounter. Now, the feeling was different."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

If this was a day when United displayed their resilience, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their futures in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim stated it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at danger of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.

Not one has started a league game so far and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team sought a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a lot of talent on the bench but at times 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 feeling was not to change anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to move to the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is now considering the idea of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a period which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

As the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be returned well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a delayed resolution than what wantaway player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," commented the coach, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a lot of fixtures."