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

Prior to their visit to Forest, Manchester United had secured only eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial first-half opener, United were staring down the barrel.

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

'If that game occurred the previous campaign, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as decisive.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, that is my feeling."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why Amorim selects him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of October, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

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

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Now is a distinct feeling. You can sense we might not win the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a feeling a big team occasionally must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond saying the self-belief gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

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

"We demonstrated this year we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we have three good games.

"We just need to remain inside the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we played the game. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Remains Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a day when United displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their roles in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, the coach said it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at risk of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fit into that category. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the number is over two hours from seven.

Not one has started a league match this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United chased a way back into a contest they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in progress to move to Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now open to the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be back well before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed resolution than any wantaway individual would prefer.

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

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