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When you cannot win, don't lose - so the old saying goes.

Before their visit to Forest, Manchester United had gained only 8 points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the past six matches when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a contentious opening period goal, United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been any clearer.

Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The response was equally emphatic.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this game, the manager felt his squad demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Today is a different feeling. You can sense we might not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a major club occasionally has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is totally different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend each other better. We talk increased about this.

"We proved this year we can have bad moments but suddenly, we produce three good games.

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the game. Now, the feeling was different."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United showed their resilience, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was likely players who think they are at danger of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fit into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his four Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from 7.

Neither has started a Premier League game this season and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team sought a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a deal. The striker was returning from injury but is now open to the idea of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which includes a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the final is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be back long before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than what wantaway player would like.

"This is about the demands of the sport," said the coach, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

"It isn't related to quality - and we have a many games."