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

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned just 8 points from deficit situations under their manager. They had not got any from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal secured a draw.

When they went down at the City Ground after letting in twice in a short span, as Forest overturned a contentious first-half opener, United were facing defeat.

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

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

The answer was equally decisive.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach selects him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the box late in the game to earn a draw.

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

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

In this game, the manager believed his squad showed they have improved at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a feeling a major club occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger probably made a difference.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, on the contrary in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from mentioning the confidence generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different confidence. We understand each other better. We talk increased about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this year we can experience difficult periods but then, we have three good games.

"It's essential to remain inside the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the encounter. Now, the impression was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when United displayed their resilience, it was additionally a day that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's revamped squad.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach said it was likely players who believe they are at risk of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is 138 from seven.

Neither has begun a league match so far and neither were they called upon to come off the bench at the stadium, as United sought a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained the manager. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the players in front."

The midfielder had a deal in place to move to the Italian club 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 Italy.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a time which features a few weekday matches which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

As the championship match is on January 18th, the pair should be back well before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than what wantaway player would like.

"It is the characteristics of the game," commented the coach, when asked directly about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

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