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If you can't win, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained just 8 points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial opening period goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

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

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

The answer was just as emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, I believe so."

It's impossible to determine the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular volleyed strike from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that Manchester United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of October, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this match, the manager believed his squad showed they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," stated Amorim. "Now is a different sensation. You can sense we could not win the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

The manager didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an opponent any rest.

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We communicate increased about this.

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

"It's essential to remain inside the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the encounter. Today, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when United displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim said it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at danger of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Not one has started a Premier League game so far and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but United would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is now considering the idea of a return to Serie A.

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

As the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be returned long before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a later outcome than what eager to leave player would like.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," commented Amorim, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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