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If you can't triumph, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Before their journey to Forest, Manchester United had gained merely 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had not got any from the previous six matches when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late effort snatched a draw.

When they went down at the City Ground after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a disputed first-half goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The question to the manager after his side fought back to draw could not have been any clearer.

Had that match occurred last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as decisive.

"Yes, and by more goals, I believe so."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why Amorim selects him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant volleyed strike from just outside the box late in the game to earn a point.

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

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

In this game, Amorim felt his players showed they have got better at that too.

"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Today is a different sensation. You can sense we might not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. 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 probably made a difference.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, actually the opposite indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will never allow an opponent any rest.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend each other better. We talk more about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we performed in the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United showed their resilience, it was additionally a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was possible players who think they are at danger of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that bracket. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from 7.

Neither has begun a Premier League game so far and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as United sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to move to the Italian club in the last days of the summer window but the club would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is now open to the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a time which features a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of rotation unseen before.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned long before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed outcome than any eager to leave player would like.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," commented the coach, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's only a phase.

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