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When you cannot win, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their journey to Forest, Manchester United had earned merely 8 points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six matches when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late effort snatched a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a disputed opening period opener, Manchester United were facing defeat.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been more straightforward.

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

The response was equally emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the box late in the game to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the beginning of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this season. 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 game, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have improved at that as well.

"In the past, if we had this kind of poor short period and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a major club sometimes has to have."

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

The attacker is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his shorts.

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

Amorim was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond saying the confidence generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally changed," he said. "Following three good games and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We proved this year we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three strong performances.

"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we played the encounter. Now, the feeling was different."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Futures of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a day when the team displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was possible players who think they are at danger of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Neither has begun a Premier League match this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United chased a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality 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 interrupt the rhythm," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in place to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently considering the idea of a move back to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of the winter, a time which includes a few midweek games which will require a level of squad changes unseen before.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the duo should be returned long before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later resolution than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned directly about the forward and the midfielder. "The players understand it's only a phase.

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