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

Before their journey to Forest, Man Utd had gained just 8 points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure a single point from the previous six matches when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding twice in a short span, as Forest reversed a controversial first-half goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been more straightforward.

Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as decisive.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that United are playing better this season. Since the start of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

The determination, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

In this match, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," said the coach. "Now is a different sensation. It's evident we could not win this game 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 signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from mentioning the self-belief generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely different," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We proved this season we can have bad moments but then, we have three strong performances.

"We just need to be engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look squad.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim stated it was likely members of the squad who believe they are at danger of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is 138 from seven.

Neither has started a league game this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a deal. The striker was returning from injury but is currently open to the idea of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which features a few midweek games which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

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

"It is the demands of the sport," commented the coach, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

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