🔗 Share this article

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

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned only 8 points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the past six matches when they were losing since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a short span, as Forest reversed a disputed opening period goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The question to the manager after his side fought back to draw could not have been any clearer.

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

The response was equally decisive.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at wing-back by flashing home a sensational volleyed strike from near the edge of the box late in the game to secure a point.

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

The determination, the will, the refusal to give in are unquantifiables.

In this game, the manager believed his players showed 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 Amorim. "Today is a different feeling. 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 mention it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and the winger likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is totally different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a different assurance. We understand each other more effectively. We talk more about these aspects.

"We proved this year we can have bad moments but then, we have three good games.

"We just need to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when United displayed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their roles in Amorim's new-look squad.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely members of the squad who believe they are at risk of missing the World Cup will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the number is 138 from seven.

Neither has begun a Premier League game this season and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as United sought a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a deal in place to move to Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a transfer. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently considering the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a period which features a few midweek games which will require a level of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the duo should be back well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which may mean a delayed resolution than any eager to leave individual would like.

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

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