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

Before their visit to Forest, Manchester United had gained merely eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six matches when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a controversial opening period goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The question 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 believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally forceful.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, in my opinion."

We can never know the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach picks him at wing-back by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the box late in the game to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have additionally been getting better results.

The resolve, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

In this match, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have improved at that as well.

"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 distinct sensation. It's evident we could not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a major club sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and the winger must have helped.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

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

Amorim was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond saying the self-belief generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk more about this.

"We proved this year we can have bad moments but suddenly, we have three good games.

"It's essential to be inside the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the game. Today, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

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

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim said it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at risk of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fall into that category. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his four Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from 7.

Neither has begun a league game this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but United would not approve a transfer. The striker was returning from injury but is currently open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which includes a few weekday matches which will demand a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be back long before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a delayed outcome than any wantaway player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," commented the coach, when asked directly about the forward and the midfielder. "The players understand it's temporary.

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