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

Before their visit to Forest, Man Utd had gained just eight points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six games when they trailed since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they went down at the City Ground after conceding twice in a couple of minutes, as Forest overturned a disputed first-half opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been more direct.

Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was just as forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the box late in the game to earn a draw.

It's been clear since the start of the season that United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of autumn, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this game, the manager believed his squad showed they have improved at that as well.

"In the past, if we had this kind of poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," said the coach. "Now is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a major club sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will never allow an opponent any rest.

Amorim was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the self-belief gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is completely changed," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk more about this.

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

"We just need to be inside the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Lingers Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a day when United 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 stated it was likely players who believe they are at risk of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four 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 league match this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the substitutes 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. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change anything with the players in attack."

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

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations 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.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be returned well before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed outcome than any wantaway player would like.

"It is the demands of the game," said the coach, when asked specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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