{'A Different Vibe' - Have Manchester United Exhibited a Mentality Transformation?

If you can't triumph, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.

Before their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned just eight points from deficit situations under their manager. They had failed to secure a single point from the previous six games when they trailed since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a late goal snatched a tie.

When they went down at the stadium after letting in twice in a couple of minutes, as Forest overturned a controversial first-half goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been any clearer.

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

The answer was just as decisive.

"Yes, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that the young player showed why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

It's been clear 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 demonstrated they have improved at that as well.

"In the past, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Now is a distinct sensation. It's evident we could not triumph in this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a feeling a big team occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his shorts.

Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the perfect example of a footballer who will not give an rival any rest.

Amorim was asked exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Beyond mentioning the confidence generated from the previous three successive wins, he didn't provide an explanation.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a different assurance. We understand each other better. We communicate more about this.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Today, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Prospects of the striker and Mainoo

If this was a day when United showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a moment that must have left Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder even more uncertain of their roles in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his before the game press conference, the coach stated it was possible players who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total 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 sought a way back into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a great deal of quality on the bench but at times I have the impression if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in front."

Mainoo had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not sanction a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is currently considering the idea of a return to Serie A.

The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, 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 should be back long before the signing period closes on 2 February - which could result in a later resolution than any wantaway player would like.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," commented the coach, when asked directly about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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