🔗 Share this article

If you can't win, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Prior to their trip to Forest, Manchester United had gained only eight points from deficit situations with their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort snatched a tie.

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

The inquiry to Amorim after his side fought back to tie could not have been more direct.

'If that game occurred last season, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The answer was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by more goals, I believe so."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at wing-back by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that Manchester United are playing better this season. Since the start of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

The resolve, the will, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

In this match, Amorim believed his players showed they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Now is a distinct sensation. You can sense we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a big team occasionally has to have."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger likely contributed.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his shorts.

The forward is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from saying the self-belief generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other better. We talk increased about this.

"We proved this season we can have difficult periods but then, we have three strong performances.

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the game. Now, the impression was different."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was possible players who think they are at risk of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is over two hours from seven.

Not one has begun a Premier League match so far and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of quality on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but United would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is currently open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a time which includes a couple of midweek games which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.

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

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

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