🔗 Share this article

When you cannot triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Before their journey to Forest, Man Utd had gained only eight points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the previous six matches when they trailed since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort snatched a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after conceding twice in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a controversial first-half opener, United were facing defeat.

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

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

The response was equally forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the box nine minutes from time to secure a point.

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

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

In this game, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Now is a different sensation. You can sense we could not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away 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 tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked precisely what had led to the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the confidence generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We communicate increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely based on how we played the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Futures of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a day when the team showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach said it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at danger of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.

Not one has started a league match this season and neither were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a lot of talent on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but United would not sanction a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is now open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a time which includes a few weekday matches which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be back long before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a delayed outcome than any eager to leave player would like.

"It is the characteristics of the game," said the coach, when questioned directly about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's only a phase.

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