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When you cannot win, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Prior to their visit to Forest, Manchester United had secured only eight points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in twice in a short span, as Forest overturned a contentious opening period goal, United were in serious trouble.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been any clearer.

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

The response was just as emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, I believe so."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area late in the game to earn a draw.

It's been clear since the start of the season that Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the start of autumn, they have additionally been getting better results.

The resolve, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

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

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a different feeling. It's evident we could not win this game but we are not going to lose. 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 must have helped.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a player who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from saying the self-belief generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely different," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a different assurance. We understand one another better. We talk more about this.

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

"We just need to be engaged in the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the encounter. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a day when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that must have left the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at danger of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a league match this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were losing from the second half.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is now considering the possibility 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 time which includes a couple of midweek games which will demand a level of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be returned long before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed outcome than what eager to leave individual would prefer.

"It is the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when asked directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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