{'A Unique Sensation' - Did Man Utd Shown a Mentality Transformation?

When you cannot triumph, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Prior to their visit to Forest, Manchester United had secured merely 8 points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the past six games when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late effort snatched a tie.

When they went down at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial opening period opener, United were facing defeat.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been more direct.

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

The answer was just as decisive.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player demonstrated why the coach picks him at wing-back by scoring a sensational first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a point.

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

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

In this match, Amorim believed his squad demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"Previously, if we had such a bad five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a major club occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the arrival of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will never allow an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from saying the confidence generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk increased about this.

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

"It's essential to remain engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and the midfielder

While this represented a day when the team displayed their resilience, it was additionally a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their roles in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely members of the squad who think they are at risk of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. The forward 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 begun a league game this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as United sought a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the second half.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a deal in progress to move to Napoli in the last days of the summer window but United would not sanction a transfer. The striker was returning from injury but is now open to the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the absence of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of December, a time which features a couple of midweek games which will require a level of squad changes unseen before.

Since the championship match is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be returned well before the transfer window closes on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any wantaway player would like.

"It is the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's temporary.

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