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

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained only 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest reversed a disputed first-half goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

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

Had that match happened last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The response was equally forceful.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area late in the game to earn a point.

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

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

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

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not win the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a big team sometimes has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and the winger likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally different," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend each other better. We talk increased about these aspects.

"We proved this year we can have difficult periods but then, we produce three strong performances.

"We just need to be engaged in the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the encounter. Today, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Futures of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their futures in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his before the game press conference, the coach said it was possible members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight cameo roles in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Not one has started a Premier League match this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a way back into a contest they were losing 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 game all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now open to the idea of a return to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a period which includes a couple of midweek games which will demand a degree of rotation unseen before.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be back well before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed outcome than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the game," said the coach, when asked specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's only a phase.

"It isn't related to ability - and we have a lot of fixtures."