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When you cannot win, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.

Prior to their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had secured merely eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six matches when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious first-half opener, United were facing defeat.

The question to Amorim after his side fought back to draw could not have been any clearer.

Had that match happened the previous campaign, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The response was equally forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim picks him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the box nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the start of October, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

In this match, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"In the past, if we had such a poor five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. You can sense we might not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a major club sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a footballer who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is completely changed," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend one another better. We communicate increased about this.

"We demonstrated this season we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

"It's essential to be engaged in the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Today, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when United displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look squad.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim said it was likely players who believe they are at risk of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a Premier League game so far and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team sought a way back into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of talent on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to join the Italian club in the last days of the summer window but United would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is now open to the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is complicated 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 few weekday matches which will demand a level of squad changes unseen before.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be back long before the signing period closes on 2 February - which could result in a later outcome than what eager to leave individual would like.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," commented Amorim, when asked directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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