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

Prior to their journey to Forest, Man Utd had gained only 8 points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the previous six games when they trailed since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a short span, as Forest reversed a disputed opening period opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

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

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

The response was equally decisive.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, in my opinion."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to secure a draw.

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

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

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

"In the past, if we had such a poor five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Now is a different sensation. It's evident we could not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the arrival of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will not give an rival any rest.

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

"The confidence, naturally, is totally changed," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a different assurance. We understand one another better. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to be inside the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the game. Now, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Over Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when the team showed their resilience, it was also a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their futures in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

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

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that bracket. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his four Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from 7.

Not one has started a Premier League game this season and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a way back into a game they were trailing in 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 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 anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is now considering the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which includes a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo should be returned well before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any eager to leave individual would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," said Amorim, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's only a phase.

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