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When you cannot win, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their visit to Forest, Man Utd had gained only 8 points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late effort snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a disputed opening period goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

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

Had that match happened last season, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as decisive.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim picks him at wing-back by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from just outside the box nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the season that United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

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

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Today is a different feeling. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a major club occasionally must possess."

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

The attacker 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 tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely different," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different confidence. We understand one another better. We communicate increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely based on how we played the game. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Remains Over Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

If this was a occasion when United displayed their resilience, it was also a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their roles in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was possible players who believe they are at danger of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is 138 from 7.

Neither has started a Premier League match so far and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling 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 second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the last days of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now open to the possibility of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a period which includes a couple of weekday matches which will demand a level of rotation unseen before.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair should be returned long before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed outcome than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"It is the demands of the game," said the coach, when asked specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's only a phase.

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