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If you can't win, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.

Before their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained only 8 points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the past six games when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after conceding twice in a short span, as Forest reversed a controversial opening period goal, United were facing defeat.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side fought back to tie could not have been more direct.

'If that game occurred last season, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was equally emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, that is my feeling."

We can never know the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a spectacular volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

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

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

In this match, Amorim believed his squad showed they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," stated Amorim. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a major club sometimes must possess."

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

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

The forward is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally changed," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We communicate more about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the game. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when United showed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's revamped squad.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim stated it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at danger of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his four Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For the young player, the number is 138 from seven.

Not one has begun a Premier League match this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team chased a way back into a game they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a great deal of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a transfer. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is now open to the idea of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances 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 midweek games which will require a degree of squad changes unseen before.

Since the final is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be back long before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which could result in a later resolution than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," said Amorim, when asked directly about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

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