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If you can't triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Before their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained only eight points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late effort secured a draw.

When they went down at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a disputed first-half opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

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

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

The answer was just as forceful.

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

We can never know the reality. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the box nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

It has been obvious since the beginning of the season that United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the start of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this game, Amorim felt his players showed they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Now is a different feeling. It's evident we could not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is totally changed," he said. "Following three good games and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend each other better. We communicate increased about this.

"We demonstrated this season we can experience difficult periods but then, we produce three strong performances.

"We just need to remain inside the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the encounter. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Futures of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when United displayed their resilience, it was additionally a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their futures in the manager's revamped squad.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim said it was possible players who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fit into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from seven.

Neither has begun a league match so far and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as United sought a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," said the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to move to Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a deal. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is currently open to the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a period which features a couple of midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be returned long before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which could result in a later outcome than what eager to leave player would prefer.

"It is the demands of the sport," commented Amorim, when questioned specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

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