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If you can't win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their trip to Forest, Man Utd had earned only 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had not got any from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a disputed opening period goal, United were staring down the barrel.

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

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

The response was just as forceful.

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

We can never know the reality. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the campaign that 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 match, the manager believed his players showed they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Now is a different feeling. It's evident we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club sometimes must possess."

The manager didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, on the contrary in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the self-belief gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We communicate increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the game. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when United showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their roles in the manager's revamped squad.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim said it was likely players who believe they are at risk of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

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

Neither has started a Premier League game so far and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as United chased a way back into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a deal in place to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now open to the idea of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the loss of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a time which includes a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be returned well before the signing period closes on 2 February - which may mean a later outcome than any wantaway player would prefer.

"It is the characteristics 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 ability - and we have a many fixtures."