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If you can't win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their visit to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had secured only eight points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six matches when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a tie.

When they went down at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a disputed opening period opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

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

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

The response was equally emphatic.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach selects him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this match, Amorim believed his squad showed they have got better at that too.

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we could not win 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 say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his kit.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a player who will never allow an rival any rest.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Beyond saying the self-belief gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this year we can have bad moments but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Today, the feeling was different."

Doubt Remains Over Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a day when the team displayed 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 revamped squad.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach stated it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at risk of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four top-flight substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from 7.

Not one has started a league match this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United chased a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a great deal of talent on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the guys in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now considering the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which features a couple of weekday matches which will require a level of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned well before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which may mean a delayed resolution than any wantaway player would prefer.

"It is the characteristics of the game," commented the coach, when questioned specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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