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

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had secured merely 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six games when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal secured a tie.

When they went down at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a disputed opening period opener, United were staring down the barrel.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been more direct.

Had that match occurred 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."

We can never know the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why Amorim picks him at wing-back by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

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

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

In this game, Amorim felt his squad showed they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Now is a different feeling. You can sense we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a big team occasionally must possess."

The manager didn't mention it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will never allow an opponent any rest.

The coach was questioned precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the self-belief gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We talk increased about this.

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

"We just need to be inside the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we played the game. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Futures of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their futures in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim said it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at risk of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has begun a Premier League match so far and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team sought a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

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

Mainoo had a deal in place to move to Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now open to the idea of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which features a few weekday matches which will require a level of squad changes unseen before.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be back long before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which could result in a delayed outcome than any wantaway individual would like.

"It is the demands of the sport," commented the coach, when asked specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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