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When you cannot win, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Before their visit to Forest, Manchester United had earned just eight points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six matches when they were losing since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial first-half goal, United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side fought back to draw could not have been any clearer.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as emphatic.

"Yes, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular volleyed strike from just outside the box late in the game to secure a point.

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

The determination, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.

In this match, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the self-belief gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another better. We talk increased about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this season we can experience bad moments but then, we have three good games.

"We just need to be inside the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the game. Now, the feeling was different."

Doubt Lingers Over Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

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

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim said it was likely players who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his four top-flight substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a league match this season and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team sought a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to move to 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 currently open to the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a time which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a level of squad changes not previously needed.

As the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be back well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a later outcome than what wantaway player would like.

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

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