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If you can't win, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained just 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got any from the previous six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a draw.

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

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

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

The answer was equally forceful.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, I believe so."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks 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 point.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

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

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Now is a different feeling. It's evident we might not win the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and the winger probably made a difference.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival any rest.

The coach was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond saying the self-belief gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, of course, is completely different," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other better. We communicate more about this.

"We demonstrated this year we can experience bad moments but then, we produce three good games.

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we played the game. Today, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when United showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that must have left the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely members of the squad who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his four top-flight substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a league match this season and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United chased a route to recovery into a game they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not sanction a transfer. The striker was coming back from injury but is currently considering the idea of a return to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a period which includes a couple of weekday matches which will demand a level of rotation not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be back well before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed outcome than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the game," commented the coach, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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