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When you cannot win, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their journey to Forest, Man Utd had gained merely eight points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the previous six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort secured a tie.

When they went down at the City Ground after conceding twice in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious opening period opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

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

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

The response was just as decisive.

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

We can never know the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach picks him at defensive wing by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

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

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

In this game, the manager felt his players showed they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Now is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and the winger probably made a difference.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival any rest.

Amorim was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely different," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. We understand each other more effectively. We communicate more about this.

"We proved this season we can experience bad moments but then, we have three good games.

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the encounter. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a day when United showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was likely players who believe they are at danger of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fit into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the total 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 sought a way back into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in place to move to Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a deal. The striker was returning from injury but is now open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which features a couple of midweek games which will demand a level of rotation unseen before.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be returned long before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later outcome than any eager to leave individual would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," said the coach, when questioned specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

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