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When you cannot triumph, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Prior to their journey to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had gained just 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got any from the previous six games when they found themselves behind since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort secured a draw.

When they went down at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a disputed opening period goal, United were facing defeat.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was just as emphatic.

"Absolutely, 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 selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It's been clear since the start of the season that Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this game, Amorim believed his squad showed they have got better at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. It's evident we could not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a big team occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

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

Amorim was questioned precisely what had caused the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the self-belief generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

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

"We demonstrated this year we can experience bad moments but then, we produce three good games.

"We just need to be inside the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Remains Over Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a day when the team displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, the coach said it was likely members of the squad who think they are at risk of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Not one has started a league match this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team sought a route to recovery into a game they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said the manager. "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 agreement in progress 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 coming back from a fitness issue but is now open to the idea of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be back well before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any wantaway individual would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," commented the coach, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a many fixtures."