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If you can't win, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained just eight points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest reversed a controversial first-half goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

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

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

The answer was equally emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at wing-back by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

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

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

In this match, the manager felt his players demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad five minutes 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 mindset a big team sometimes has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his kit.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

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

"We demonstrated this year we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three good games.

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

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, the coach stated it was possible members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Neither has started a league game this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team sought a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game all the time, I'm going to break something," said the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join the Italian club in the final stages 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 return to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of December, a period which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a level of rotation unseen before.

Since the final is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be returned long before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than any wantaway player would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," commented the coach, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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