{'A Unique Vibe' - Have Man Utd Demonstrated a Mindset Transformation?

If you can't win, don't lose - as the proverb states.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained merely eight points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the previous six games when they were losing since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute effort secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the City Ground after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest overturned a contentious first-half goal, United were in serious trouble.

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

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

The response was just as decisive.

"Absolutely, and by a larger margin, I believe so."

We can never know the actual outcome. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home 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 Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the start of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.

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

In this game, Amorim believed his players showed they have improved at that too.

"In the past, if we had such a poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Today is a different sensation. It's evident we might not win this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a major club occasionally must possess."

The manager didn't say it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the badge on his shorts.

The forward is a constant threat, the epitome of a footballer who will never allow an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was questioned precisely what had led to the mental improvement. Beyond saying the self-belief generated from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally changed," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend one another better. We communicate increased about these aspects.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the match until the last moments. In the past, we could have lost everything based on how we played the encounter. Today, the impression was different."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

If this was a occasion when the team displayed their resilience, it was additionally a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their futures in the manager's new-look Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach said it was possible members of the squad who think they are at risk of not making the World Cup will ask to leave in the winter signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fall into that category. The forward has managed less than two full games from his 4 top-flight substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is 138 from seven.

Not one has begun a Premier League match this season and neither were they asked to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of quality on the bench but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow constantly, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering the setup with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is currently considering the possibility of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the absence of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a time which features a couple of weekday matches which will demand a degree of rotation unseen before.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be back long before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed outcome than any wantaway individual would like.

"It is the demands of the game," said Amorim, when asked directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "The players understand it's temporary.

"It isn't related to quality - and we have a many fixtures."