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If you can't win, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Prior to their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned just 8 points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the previous six matches when they were losing since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a controversial first-half opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The question to Amorim after his side fought back to draw could not have been more direct.

Had that match happened last season, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a spectacular 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 Manchester United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

The determination, the desire, the refusal to give in are unquantifiables.

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

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Now is a distinct sensation. You can sense we might not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a big team occasionally has to have."

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

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

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an opponent any rest.

Amorim was asked precisely what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from saying the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, of course, is totally changed," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different assurance. We understand one another more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

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

"We just need to be inside the match until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have collapsed completely based on how we played the game. Today, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their roles in the manager's revamped squad.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim stated it was possible players who think they are at danger of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a Premier League match this season and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team chased a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of quality on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now open to the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a time which features a few weekday matches which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be returned well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a later outcome than what eager to leave individual would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," said the coach, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

"It isn't related to ability - and we have a many fixtures."