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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their journey to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had secured only eight points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the past six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal secured a draw.

When they went down at the stadium after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a disputed opening period goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

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

'If that game occurred the previous campaign, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.

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

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

In this match, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a bad five minutes and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Now is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a big team sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

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

Amorim was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the confidence gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another better. We communicate more about this.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when United showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their roles in the manager's new-look squad.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim said it was likely members of the squad who believe they are at danger of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fall into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a Premier League game so far and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is currently open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a time which includes a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes unseen before.

As the final is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be back long before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed outcome than any eager to leave player would like.

"It is the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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