{'A Distinct Sensation' - Have Manchester United Exhibited a Mindset Change?

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

Prior to their trip to Forest, Manchester United had secured only 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got a single point from the past six matches when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a controversial opening period goal, United were facing defeat.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been more straightforward.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The answer was equally decisive.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, that is my feeling."

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach selects him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from near the edge of the box late in the game to secure a draw.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that United are playing better this season. Since the start of October, they have additionally been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this match, the manager believed his players showed they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a poor five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Now is a different feeling. It's evident we could not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a feeling a major club occasionally must possess."

The manager didn't mention it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and the winger likely contributed.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the perfect example of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely different," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. We understand each other better. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to be engaged in the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have lost everything based on how we performed in the game. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

If this was a occasion when United displayed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that must have left the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look squad.

In his before the game press conference, Amorim stated it was possible 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 fit into that category. Zirkzee has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the number is over two hours from seven.

Neither has started a Premier League game this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team chased a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality 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," explained Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not approve a transfer. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is now considering the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of December, a time which includes a few weekday matches which will demand a degree of rotation unseen before.

As the final is on January 18th, the duo should be returned well before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed resolution than what eager to leave individual would like.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," said Amorim, when asked directly about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

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