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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Prior to their trip to Forest, Manchester United had secured just eight points from deficit situations with 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 last-minute effort snatched a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in two goals in a short span, as Forest reversed a controversial first-half goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been more straightforward.

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

The response was just as decisive.

"Yes, 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 the coach selects him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant volleyed strike from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the start of the campaign that Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of October, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this match, the manager felt his players showed they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a bad short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a big team occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his shorts.

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

The coach was questioned exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the confidence generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is totally different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. We understand each other more effectively. We talk more about this.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything based on how we played the encounter. Today, the feeling was different."

Uncertainty Remains Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a day when United showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their futures in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim said it was possible members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the number is over two hours from seven.

Not one has started a league game so far and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United sought a way back into a game they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in attack."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to move to Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but United would not approve a transfer. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is currently considering the idea of a move back to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which includes a few weekday matches which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be returned well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which could result in a delayed outcome than any eager to leave individual would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," said the coach, when asked directly about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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