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If you can't triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Before their journey to Forest, Manchester United had gained only eight points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six matches when they were losing since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort snatched a tie.

When they went down at the City Ground after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a disputed first-half opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was just as emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this match, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a bad short period and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Today is a different feeling. It's evident we could not win this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a feeling a big team occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a footballer who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond saying the self-belief gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk more about this.

"We demonstrated this year we can experience bad moments but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

"It's essential to be inside the match until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Remains Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when United displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their futures in the manager's new-look squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim said it was likely players who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated 82 minutes from his four top-flight substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a Premier League match so far and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to move to the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. The striker was returning from injury but is currently considering the idea of a move back to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a time which features a couple of midweek games which will demand a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned long before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed resolution than what eager to leave individual would like.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," commented the coach, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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