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

Before their trip to Forest, Man Utd had gained only 8 points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the previous six games when they found themselves behind since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort secured a tie.

When they went down at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a controversial opening period goal, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been any clearer.

'If that game occurred the previous campaign, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The response was just as emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player 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 point.

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

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

In this game, the manager believed his squad showed they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a big team sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and the winger must have helped.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a player who will never allow an opponent any rest.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a newfound confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We talk increased about this.

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

"We just need to be inside the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the game. Now, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their roles in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

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

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his four top-flight cameo roles this season. For the young player, the number is 138 from seven.

Neither has begun a league game so far and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team chased a way back into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," explained the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to move to the Italian club in the last days of the summer window but the club would not sanction a deal. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is now considering the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a period which features a few midweek games which will require a level of rotation unseen before.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be returned well before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than any wantaway player would like.

"It is the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when asked directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's only a phase.

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