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

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained just 8 points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a tie.

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

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been more direct.

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

The response was equally forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at wing-back by scoring a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the season that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this game, the manager felt his squad showed they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had such a bad five minutes and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - 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 rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Beyond saying the confidence generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, of course, is completely different," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team showed their resilience, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach stated it was possible players who think they are at risk of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has managed less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a league match so far and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in 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 stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in place to move to Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently considering the idea of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a time which features a few midweek games which will demand a level of squad changes not previously needed.

As the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be returned long before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which may mean a delayed resolution than what eager to leave player would like.

"This is about the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned directly about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

"It's nothing to do with ability - and we have a lot of fixtures."