{'A Different Vibe' - Have Man Utd Exhibited a Attitude Shift?

When you cannot win, avoid defeat - as the proverb states.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had earned only eight points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got a single point from the past six games when they were losing since the match to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a draw.

When they went down at the stadium after conceding two goals in a short span, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial first-half goal, United were in serious trouble.

The inquiry to the manager after his side fought back to draw could not have been any clearer.

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

The answer was just as emphatic.

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

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a spectacular volleyed strike from just outside the box late in the game to secure a point.

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

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

In this game, Amorim felt his squad demonstrated they have got better at that too.

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Today is a distinct feeling. You can sense we might not win this game but we are not going to lose. And this represents a feeling a major club sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't mention it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they felt was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.

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

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Beyond saying the self-belief generated from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"The confidence, naturally, is totally different," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a newfound assurance. We understand each other better. We talk more about these aspects.

"We proved this year we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three strong performances.

"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 performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Over Futures of the striker and the midfielder

While this represented a occasion when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their roles in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim stated it was likely members of the squad who think they are at danger of missing the international tournament will ask to leave in the January transfer window.

It is fair to assume Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that category. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight cameo roles this season. For the young player, the number is 138 from 7.

Not one has begun a Premier League game so far and neither were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"Our squad includes a lot of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break the rhythm," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was to avoid altering anything with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in place to join Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a transfer. The striker was coming back from a fitness issue but is currently open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of the winger and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the midst of the winter, a time which includes a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the final is on January 18th, the pair should be returned well before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which could result in a delayed outcome than any eager to leave player would prefer.

"It is the demands of the game," said Amorim, when questioned directly about Zirkzee and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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