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

Before their journey to Forest, Man Utd had earned just eight points from deficit situations under their manager. They had not got a single point from the previous six games when they found themselves behind since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious opening period opener, United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been more direct.

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

The response was equally forceful.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, I believe so."

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the start of the season that United are performing at a higher level 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 unquantifiables.

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

"Previously, if we had such a bad short period 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 the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the arrival of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an opponent any rest.

The coach was questioned exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Beyond saying the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely different," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We communicate increased about this.

"We proved this year we can have difficult periods but suddenly, we have three good games.

"We just need to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Now, the impression was different."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

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

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely players who think they are at danger of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fall into that bracket. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Not one has begun a league game this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as United sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the guys in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to join the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a transfer. The striker 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 Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which features a few weekday matches which will require a level of squad changes unseen before.

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

"This is about the demands of the game," said the coach, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

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