{'A Distinct Vibe' - Did Man Utd Exhibited a Mindset Shift?

When you cannot triumph, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained just 8 points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the previous six matches when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute goal snatched 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 staring down the barrel.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to tie could not have been more direct.

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

The response was just as forceful.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It's been clear since the start of the season that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

The determination, the desire, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

In this game, the manager felt his squad showed they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct sensation. You can sense we could not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a big team sometimes has to have."

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

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

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

The coach was questioned precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We communicate increased about this.

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

"It's essential to be engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a day when United displayed their resilience, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more unsure of their roles in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his before the game press conference, the coach stated it was possible players who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that category. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his four top-flight substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from seven.

Neither has begun a Premier League game so far and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the players in attack."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to move to Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but United would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently open to the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a period which features a few weekday matches which will demand a degree of rotation unseen before.

As the final is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be returned long before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later outcome than what eager to leave player would prefer.

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

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