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

If you can't triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Prior to their journey to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained only eight points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had not got a single point from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched a tie.

When they were behind at the City Ground after conceding twice in a short span, as Forest overturned a contentious first-half opener, United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to the manager after his side fought back to tie could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by more goals, I believe so."

We can never know the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from near the edge of the box nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

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

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

In this game, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had this kind of bad short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. It's evident we might not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

The manager didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a player who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely different," he said. "Following three good games and we have a newfound assurance. The players comprehend one another better. We communicate increased about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when United showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's revamped Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim stated it was possible players who think they are at danger of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from seven.

Not one has begun a league match so far and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team sought a way back into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change anything with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to move to Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is currently open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which features a few midweek games which will demand a level of squad changes unseen before.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair should be back well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any eager to leave player would like.

"It is the demands of the sport," said the coach, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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