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If you can't triumph, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Before their visit to Forest, Manchester United had secured merely 8 points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six matches when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort secured a tie.

When they were behind at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial opening period goal, United were staring down the barrel.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by more goals, in my opinion."

It's impossible to determine the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to earn a draw.

It's been clear since the beginning of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this match, the manager felt his squad showed they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad short period and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not triumph in the match 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 arrival of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

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 local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an opponent any rest.

The coach was questioned precisely what had caused the mental improvement. Beyond saying the self-belief generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely different," he said. "Following three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend each other better. We communicate more about these aspects.

"We proved this year we can have difficult periods but then, we produce three strong performances.

"We just need to remain inside the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when the team displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their roles in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

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

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League cameo roles this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has begun a Premier League game so far and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a route to recovery into a game 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 the rhythm," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in attack."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to move to the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but United would not sanction a transfer. The striker was coming back from injury but is now open to the idea of a return to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of the winter, a period which features a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the final is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be back well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a later outcome than what wantaway player would like.

"It is the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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