{'A Distinct Sensation' - Did Manchester United Demonstrated a Mentality Shift?

When you cannot triumph, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.

Before their visit to Forest, Manchester United had earned just eight points from losing positions with their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six games when they trailed since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a contentious opening period goal, United were facing defeat.

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

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

The response was just as decisive.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

We can never know the reality. What we do know that the young player showed why the coach selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational volleyed strike from near the edge of the box late in the game to earn a draw.

It's been clear since the start of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this game, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a distinct sensation. You can sense we could not win this game but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a big team sometimes has to have."

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

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a player who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked 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 answer.

"The confidence, of course, is totally different," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another better. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain inside the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely based on how we played the game. Today, the impression was different."

Doubt Remains Over Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when the team showed their resilience, it was also a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach stated it was likely members of the squad who think they are at risk of not making the international tournament will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his four top-flight cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Not one has started a league game this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United chased a route to recovery into a game they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"We have a great deal of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in progress to move to Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not approve a deal. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is now open to the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the loss of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which features a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of squad changes unseen before.

As the championship match is on 18 January, the pair should be returned well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which may mean a delayed resolution than any eager to leave player would like.

"It is the characteristics of the game," commented Amorim, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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