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When you cannot win, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Before their trip to Forest, Manchester United had secured just eight points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the past six matches when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a draw.

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

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

Had that match happened last season, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was just as emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the campaign that United are playing better this season. Since the start of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this game, Amorim felt his players demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

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

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, 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 footballer who will not give an rival any rest.

Amorim was questioned exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend each other better. We talk increased about this.

"We demonstrated this year we can have bad moments but then, we have three good games.

"It's essential to remain inside the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the encounter. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their futures in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach stated it was possible players who believe they are at risk of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fit into that bracket. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is 138 from seven.

Neither has started a league match so far and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team sought a way back into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in progress to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but United would not sanction a transfer. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is now considering the idea of a return 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 weekday matches which will demand a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned well before the signing period closes on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than any eager to leave player would like.

"This is about the demands of the game," commented the coach, when questioned specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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