{'A Different Vibe' - Did Manchester United Shown a Mentality Transformation?

If you can't triumph, avoid defeat - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained just eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had failed to secure any from the previous six games when they trailed since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort snatched a draw.

When they went down at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a disputed first-half opener, United were facing defeat.

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

'If that game occurred last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was equally decisive.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player showed why the coach picks him at wing-back by flashing home a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the penalty area nine minutes from time to secure a point.

It has been obvious since the start of the season that United are playing better this season. Since the beginning of October, they have also been getting better results.

The determination, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are intangibles.

In this match, the manager felt his players demonstrated they have got better at that as well.

"Previously, if we had such a poor five minutes and we conceded a couple of goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Now is a different feeling. You can sense we might not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a feeling a major club occasionally must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the arrival of Matheus Cunha and the winger likely contributed.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his shorts.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an opponent any rest.

Amorim was questioned precisely what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond saying the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three good games and we have a newfound confidence. We understand one another more effectively. We communicate more about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this season we can have bad moments but suddenly, we have three strong performances.

"We just need to be engaged in the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Now, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Over Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their roles in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his before the game press conference, the coach said it was likely members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

It is fair to assume the striker and Mainoo fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles 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 the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the second half.

"We have a great deal of quality on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but United would not sanction a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is currently considering the idea of a return to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and Amad to the continental tournament in the middle of the winter, a period which features a few midweek games which will require a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

As the final is on 18 January, the pair should be returned well before the signing period ends on 2 February - which could result in a delayed outcome than what wantaway individual would prefer.

"It is the demands of the game," commented the coach, when questioned specifically about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's just a moment.

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