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

Before their journey to Forest, Manchester United had earned just eight points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the previous six games when they trailed since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious opening period opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been more direct.

'If that game happened last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The response was just as decisive.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at wing-back by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the box nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the season that United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this match, the manager believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

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

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary in fact. 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 - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond saying the confidence gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally different," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"We just need to be inside the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely based on how we played the game. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a day when the team displayed their resilience, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look squad.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim stated it was likely players who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that bracket. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Neither has started a Premier League match this season and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team sought a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a lot of quality 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 interrupt something," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the last days of the summer window but the club would not sanction a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now considering the idea of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of December, a time which includes a few midweek games which will require a level of rotation unseen before.

As the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be returned well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which may mean a delayed outcome than what eager to leave player would like.

"It is the demands of the game," said Amorim, when questioned directly about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a many games."