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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had secured merely 8 points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the previous six games when they trailed since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest overturned a disputed opening period goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The question to the manager after his side fought back to tie could not have been more straightforward.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, that is my feeling."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a spectacular volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the campaign that Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

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

"Previously, if we had such a bad five minutes and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Now is a distinct feeling. It's evident we could not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a big team occasionally has to have."

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

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival any rest.

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a different confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the encounter. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team showed their resilience, it was additionally a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely members of the squad who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his four top-flight cameo roles this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a Premier League game this season and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as United chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a great deal of talent on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to move to Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not sanction a transfer. 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 the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a period which features a couple of midweek games which will demand a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo should be returned well before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed resolution than what eager to leave player would prefer.

"This is about the demands of the game," said the coach, when questioned directly about the forward and the midfielder. "The players understand it's temporary.

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