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If you can't triumph, don't lose - so the old saying goes.

Before their journey to Forest, Manchester United had secured merely eight points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a controversial opening period opener, United were staring down the barrel.

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

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

The response was just as decisive.

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

We can never know the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at wing-back by flashing home a sensational volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that Manchester 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 will, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.

In this game, Amorim felt his squad demonstrated they have got better 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 different sensation. You can sense we could not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a major club sometimes has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and the winger probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away 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 responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a player who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

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

"The confidence, naturally, is totally changed," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We communicate more about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have collapsed completely based on how we played the game. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Remains Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their roles in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, 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 January transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a league game this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to move to the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is currently considering the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which features a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be returned long before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than what eager to leave player would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," commented Amorim, when questioned directly about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

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