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

Prior to their journey to Forest, Man Utd had gained just 8 points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Forest overturned a controversial first-half goal, Manchester United were facing defeat.

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

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

The response was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, I believe so."

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why Amorim picks him at wing-back by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

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

The determination, the will, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

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

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Now is a distinct feeling. You can sense we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a major club sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and the winger likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a newfound confidence. We understand each other more effectively. We talk increased about this.

"We proved this year we can experience bad moments but suddenly, we have three good games.

"We just need to remain inside the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything based on how we played the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a day when United showed their resilience, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's revamped squad.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach stated it was likely players who think they are at danger of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fit into that category. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his four Premier League cameo roles this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from 7.

Not one has started a league game so far and neither were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team sought a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a great deal of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the impression 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 second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but United would not sanction a deal. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is now considering the idea of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a time which features a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of squad changes unseen before.

As the final is on January 18th, the duo should be back long before the signing period closes on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than any wantaway individual would like.

"This is about the demands of the game," commented Amorim, when asked directly about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's temporary.

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