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

Before their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had secured just eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial opening period goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The question to Amorim after his side fought back to draw could not have been more straightforward.

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

The answer was equally forceful.

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

We can never know the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that United are playing better this term. Since the start of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this game, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"In the past, if we had such a poor five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not win the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a major club occasionally must possess."

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

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend each other better. We talk increased about these aspects.

"We proved this season we can have bad moments but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

"We just need to remain inside the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the game. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Remains Over Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when United displayed their resilience, it was also a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly unsure of their roles in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim said it was likely players who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his four top-flight substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the number is 138 from seven.

Not one has started a Premier League game this season and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the last days of the summer window but United would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which features a couple of midweek games which will demand a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair should be returned well before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than what wantaway player would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," commented Amorim, when asked directly about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's only a phase.

"It's nothing to do with ability - and we have a many fixtures."