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If you can't triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had earned only 8 points from deficit situations with their manager. They had not got a single point from the past six games when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they went down at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a controversial first-half goal, United were in serious trouble.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been more straightforward.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was equally forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a draw.

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 autumn, they have also been getting better results.

The determination, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.

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

"In the past, if we had such a poor short period and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," stated Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a major club occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a constant threat, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an opponent any rest.

The coach was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the confidence gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, of course, is completely changed," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound assurance. We understand each other better. We communicate increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the game. Now, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

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

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was likely players who believe they are at risk of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that category. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the number is over two hours from 7.

Neither has started a Premier League game this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team sought a way back into a game they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not approve a transfer. The striker was returning from injury but is now open to the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which includes a few weekday matches which will demand a level of squad changes unseen before.

As the final is on 18 January, the pair should be back long before the transfer window ends 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," said Amorim, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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