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If you can't triumph, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained only eight points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the previous six matches when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they went down at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest overturned a contentious first-half goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

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

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

The answer was just as decisive.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of autumn, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this match, Amorim felt his players demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. You can sense we might not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't say it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and the winger probably made a difference.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a player who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally changed," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other better. We communicate increased about this.

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

"It's essential to remain inside the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the encounter. Now, the impression was different."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when United displayed their resilience, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more unsure of their roles in the manager's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely members of the squad who think they are at danger of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fit into that category. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from seven.

Not one has begun a Premier League match so far and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team chased a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now considering the idea of a return to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a time which features a couple of weekday matches which will demand a degree of rotation unseen before.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be back long before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a delayed outcome than any eager to leave player would prefer.

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

"It isn't related to ability - and we have a many fixtures."