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

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained only eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six matches when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they were behind at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a contentious opening period goal, United were staring down the barrel.

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

'If that game happened the previous campaign, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The response was equally decisive.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at wing-back by scoring a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

The determination, the will, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

In this match, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a bad short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Now is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a big team occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and the winger likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely different," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We proved this season we can have difficult periods but then, we have three strong performances.

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we played the game. Now, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Remains Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when United showed their resilience, it was also a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their roles in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was likely members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has started a league game this season and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United chased a way back into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of talent on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the last days of the summer window but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now considering the possibility of a return to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the absence of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a period which features a couple of midweek games which will require a level of rotation unseen before.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a delayed outcome than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"It is the demands of the game," said the coach, when asked directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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