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

Prior to their journey to Forest, Man Utd had gained just eight points from deficit situations with their manager. They had not got any from the previous six matches when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious first-half opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to the manager after his side fought back to tie could not have been more straightforward.

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

The answer was just as forceful.

"Yes, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

We can never know the reality. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at wing-back by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this match, the manager felt his players demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"In the past, if we had such a bad five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we might not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a major club occasionally must possess."

The manager didn't mention it, but the arrival of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his shorts.

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

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from saying the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a different confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain inside the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the encounter. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Futures of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a occasion when the team showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly unsure of their roles in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim said it was possible players who believe they are at risk of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fit into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

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

"We have a lot of quality on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in progress to move to Napoli in the last days of the summer window but United would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is now open to the idea of a move back to Italy.

The situation 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 demand a level of squad changes not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo should be back well before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later outcome than any wantaway individual would like.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned directly about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a many fixtures."