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

If you can't triumph, avoid defeat - so the old saying goes.

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned merely 8 points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure a single point from the previous six games when they found themselves behind since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after conceding twice in a short span, as Forest reversed a contentious first-half opener, United were facing defeat.

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

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

The answer was equally forceful.

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

It's impossible to determine the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo demonstrated why the coach picks him at defensive wing by scoring a sensational volleyed strike from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

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

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

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

"Previously, if we had this kind of poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Now is a different feeling. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a big team occasionally must possess."

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 challenging circumstances, quite the reverse 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 - pointing to the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival any rest.

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

"Our self-belief, of course, is completely different," he said. "We came from three good games and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk increased about this.

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

"We just need to remain inside the match until the last moments. 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 Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a day when United showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that likely created the Dutch forward and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their roles in the manager's new-look squad.

In his before the game media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely members of the squad who believe they are at danger of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fit into that bracket. Zirkzee has managed 82 minutes from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the total is 138 from 7.

Not one has begun a Premier League game this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as United sought a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my instinct was not to change the setup with the players in front."

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

The situation is made more complex by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a time which features a few midweek games which will demand a level of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the final is on 18 January, the duo are expected to be returned well before the signing period ends on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed resolution than any eager to leave player would like.

"This is about the demands of the game," commented Amorim, when asked specifically about the forward and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase.

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