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If you can't triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained just eight points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the previous six games when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a controversial first-half opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The inquiry to the manager after his side fought back to draw could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was equally decisive.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

We can never know the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the box nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of October, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

In this match, Amorim felt his squad showed they have got better at that too.

"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a different feeling. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from saying the self-belief gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We communicate increased about these aspects.

"We proved this season we can have difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three good games.

"We just need to remain inside the match 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 the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their roles in the manager's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was possible players who believe they are at risk of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four top-flight substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a Premier League match so far and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as United chased a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in place to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is currently considering the possibility of a return to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a period which features a couple of midweek games which will demand a level of rotation unseen before.

As the championship match is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be returned long before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than what eager to leave individual would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," commented Amorim, when asked specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's just a moment.

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