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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Before their visit to Forest, Man Utd had gained just 8 points from losing positions with their manager. They had not got any from the previous six matches when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Forest overturned a controversial first-half opener, United were in serious trouble.

The question to the manager after his side fought back to tie could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was equally emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to secure a point.

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

The determination, the desire, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

In this game, the manager believed his squad demonstrated they have improved at that as well.

"In the past, if we had this kind of bad short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," said the coach. "Today is a different feeling. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a big team occasionally has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and the winger 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 felt was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally different," he said. "Following three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to be engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we played the encounter. Today, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when the team showed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their roles 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 ask to leave in the winter signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his four Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Neither has started a league match this season and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team sought a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in place to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. The striker was returning from injury but is currently open to the possibility of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a time which includes a few midweek games which will require a degree of squad changes unseen before.

Since the final is on 18 January, the duo should be back well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than what wantaway player would like.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," commented the coach, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's only a phase.

"It isn't related to quality - and we have a lot of games."