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When you cannot win, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their trip to Forest, Manchester United had earned only eight points from losing positions 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 late goal snatched a tie.

When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a contentious opening period goal, United were staring down the barrel.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been any clearer.

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

The response was equally forceful.

"Yes, 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 the coach picks him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this match, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"In the past, if we had such a poor short period and we conceded two 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 not going to lose. And that is a feeling a major club sometimes has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely changed," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk increased about this.

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

"We just need to be engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the encounter. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Over Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look squad.

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

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 top-flight cameo roles in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Not one has begun a Premier League match this season and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as United chased a way back into a game they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the last days of the summer window but United would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is currently open to the possibility of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of December, a period which includes a couple of weekday matches which will demand a level of squad changes not previously needed.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be back well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any eager to leave player would prefer.

"It is the demands of the game," said the coach, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's only a phase.

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