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When you cannot win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their trip to Forest, Manchester United had earned just 8 points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they went down at the stadium after letting in two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a contentious opening period goal, United were staring down the barrel.

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

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

The answer was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of autumn, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

In this match, Amorim believed his players showed they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had such a bad five minutes and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely different," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a newfound confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We communicate increased about this.

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

"It's essential to remain inside the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the game. Now, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that must have left the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their roles in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim said it was possible players who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fall into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the number is 138 from 7.

Neither has begun a league game so far and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United chased a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow 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 to avoid altering the setup with the guys in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which features a couple of midweek games which will require a level of squad changes not previously needed.

As the final is on January 18th, the pair should be returned well before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than what wantaway player would prefer.

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

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