{'A Distinct Vibe' - Did Man Utd Exhibited a Attitude Change?

When you cannot triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their visit to Forest, Manchester United had gained 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 spring, when a last-minute effort secured a draw.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest overturned a controversial opening period opener, United were in serious trouble.

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

'If that game happened last season, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The answer was just as emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a sensational first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a draw.

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

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

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

"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said Amorim. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not win this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a big team occasionally has to have."

Amorim didn't say it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and the winger likely contributed.

The attacker is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, on the contrary in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a player who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

The coach was asked precisely what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond mentioning the confidence gained from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is completely changed," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk more about this.

"We demonstrated this year we can experience bad moments but then, we have three strong performances.

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

Doubt Remains Over Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that must have left the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly uncertain of their futures in Amorim's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at risk of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the January signing period.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and the midfielder fit into that category. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his four top-flight substitute appearances this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from seven.

Not one has begun a Premier League match this season and nor were they called upon to be substituted on at the City Ground, as United chased a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to break something," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the guys in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently considering the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of December, a time which includes a few weekday matches which will demand a level of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the final is on January 18th, the pair should be back well before the signing period closes on 2 February - which could result in a later outcome than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," commented the coach, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's only a phase.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a many fixtures."