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When you cannot win, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Prior to their journey to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned just eight points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the past six games when they trailed since the match to Bournemouth last spring, 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 Forest reversed a disputed first-half opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

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

Had that match happened last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as decisive.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach selects him at wing-back by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from just outside the box late in the game to earn a point.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the season that United are playing better this season. Since the start of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

The resolve, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.

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

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad short period and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," said the coach. "Now is a distinct sensation. You can sense we might not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a feeling a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival any rest.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from saying the self-belief gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend each other better. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything based on how we played the encounter. Now, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim said it was possible players who think they are at danger of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has managed less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a Premier League match this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as United chased a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to join Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but United would not sanction a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is now open to the idea of a move back to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a period which includes a few midweek games which will demand a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be returned well before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later resolution than what eager to leave individual would like.

"It is the demands of the game," said Amorim, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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