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When you cannot triumph, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.

Before their journey to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned just 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had not got any from the past six matches when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a contentious first-half goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side fought back to draw could not have been more straightforward.

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

The answer was just as emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from just outside the box late in the game to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the start of the campaign that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this game, Amorim felt his squad showed they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a big team occasionally must possess."

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

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, actually the opposite in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the confidence generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We communicate more about this.

"We demonstrated this season we can experience difficult periods but then, we have three good games.

"It's essential to be engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the encounter. Now, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Over Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a day when the team displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look squad.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach stated it was likely members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the January 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 the young player, the total is 138 from seven.

Not one has begun a Premier League match so far and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United chased a way back into a game they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to move to Napoli in the last days of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is now considering the possibility of a return to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a period which includes a few weekday matches which will demand a degree of rotation unseen before.

As the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be returned long before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than any eager to leave player would like.

"It is the characteristics of the game," said the coach, when questioned directly about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a lot of games."