{'A Distinct Feeling' - Have Man Utd Exhibited a Attitude Shift?

If you can't win, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained only 8 points from losing positions with their manager. They had failed to secure any from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a disputed first-half opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been more straightforward.

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

The answer was equally forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from near the edge of the box late in the game to earn a point.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that United are playing better this term. Since the start of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

The determination, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

In this match, the manager felt his players showed they have got better at that as well.

"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. You can sense we might not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and the winger likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an rival any rest.

The coach was questioned exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely different," he said. "Following three good games and we have a different assurance. We understand each other better. We talk more about this.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the encounter. Now, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

If this was a occasion when United showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their futures in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim said it was possible players who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fit into that bracket. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from seven.

Not one has started a league match this season and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to move to Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is currently considering the idea of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a period which features a few weekday matches which will require a level of rotation unseen before.

Since the final is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be returned long before the signing period closes on 2 February - which may mean a delayed resolution than any eager to leave individual would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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