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When you cannot triumph, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had secured just eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had not got any from the past six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort snatched a draw.

When they went down at the City Ground after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a disputed first-half opener, 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 occurred the previous campaign, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The response was just as emphatic.

"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 the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the start of the campaign that United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of October, they have also been getting better results.

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

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

"Previously, if we had such a poor five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a different sensation. You can sense we could not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a major club sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse 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 badge on his shorts.

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

The coach was questioned precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, of course, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend each other better. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything based on how we played the encounter. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Over Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

If this was a day when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more unsure of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, the coach said it was likely players who think they are at risk of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a Premier League match this season and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team sought a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but United would not approve a transfer. The striker was coming back from injury but is currently open to the idea of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a time which includes a few weekday matches which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the final is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be returned long before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than any eager to leave individual would like.

"It is the demands of the game," said Amorim, when asked specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's only a phase.

"It isn't related to ability - and we have a many games."