🔗 Share this article

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

Prior to their journey to Forest, Man Utd had secured merely eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had failed to secure any from the previous six matches when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham 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.

Had that match happened last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as emphatic.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, I believe so."

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach picks him at wing-back by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the box late in the game to secure a draw.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that United are playing better this term. Since the start of autumn, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this match, Amorim felt his squad demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"In the past, if we had this kind of poor short period and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," stated Amorim. "Now is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a big team occasionally must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the self-belief generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend one another better. We talk more about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the encounter. Today, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a day when United showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach said it was likely players who believe they are at danger 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 less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is 138 from 7.

Not one has started a league match so far and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as the team sought a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not sanction a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now open to the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a time which features a few weekday matches which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo should be returned long before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later outcome than what eager to leave player would like.

"It is the characteristics of the game," commented Amorim, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's only a phase.

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