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When you cannot win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had earned just eight points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the previous six games when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a disputed opening period goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was just as forceful.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach picks him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of October, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

The resolve, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

In this game, Amorim believed his squad showed they have got better at that as well.

"In the past, if we had such a poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Now is a different feeling. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a major club sometimes has to have."

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

The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

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

Amorim was questioned exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, of course, is completely changed," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a different assurance. We understand one another more effectively. We talk more about this.

"We demonstrated this year we can have difficult periods but then, we produce three strong performances.

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the encounter. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Remains Over Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

If this was a day when United showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their roles in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim said it was likely players who believe they are at risk of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the winter signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the number is 138 from 7.

Not one has started a Premier League match this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently open to the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which includes a few weekday matches which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be back well before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which may mean a later outcome than any wantaway individual would prefer.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," commented Amorim, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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