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If you can't win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained merely 8 points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the past six games when they trailed since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a controversial opening period opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

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

'If that game happened last season, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. However, we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim picks him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a point.

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

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

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

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

Amorim didn't say it, but the arrival of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt 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 not give an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely different," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this year we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three good games.

"We just need to be engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the encounter. Now, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when the team showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach stated it was possible members of the squad who think they are at danger of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from 7.

Not one has started a league game this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team chased a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but United would not sanction a deal. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is now considering the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a time which includes a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be returned well before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed resolution than any eager to leave player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the sport," commented Amorim, when questioned specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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