🔗 Share this article

When you cannot win, don't lose - so the old saying goes.

Before their journey to Forest, Man Utd had gained just eight points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six matches when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal secured a tie.

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

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been any clearer.

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

The answer was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, that is my feeling."

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why Amorim picks him at wing-back by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the box late in the game to secure a point.

It's been clear since the start of the season that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the start of autumn, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

In this match, the manager believed his players demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we might not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a big team occasionally has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his kit.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a player who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from mentioning the confidence generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We proved this season we can have difficult periods but then, we have three good games.

"We just need to be inside the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the game. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim stated it was possible members of the squad who think they are at risk of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from seven.

Not one has begun a league match so far and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team sought a way back into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the guys in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in place to move to the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but United would not sanction a deal. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently considering the idea of a return to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of the winter, a time which features a few weekday matches which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo should be returned well before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which may mean a delayed outcome than any eager to leave player would like.

"It is the demands of the game," said the coach, when questioned specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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