{'A Different Vibe' - Have Manchester United Demonstrated a Mindset Shift?

If you can't triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their visit to Forest, Manchester United had earned only 8 points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the previous six matches when they were losing since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after letting in two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a controversial opening period opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

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

Had that match occurred last season, do you believe you would have lost it?'

The answer was equally emphatic.

"Yes, and by a larger margin, in my opinion."

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at wing-back by scoring a spectacular first-time volley from just outside the penalty area late in the game to earn a draw.

It's been clear since the beginning of the campaign that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the start of October, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

In this game, Amorim believed his squad showed they have got better at that too.

"In the past, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we suffered a couple of goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Now is a distinct sensation. You can sense we could not win the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

Amorim didn't say it, but the signing of the Brazilian forward and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.

The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, actually the opposite indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - pointing to the badge on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked exactly what had led to the psychological growth. Beyond saying the confidence gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely different," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a newfound confidence. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We communicate more about this.

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

"We just need to remain engaged in the game until the last moments. In the past, we could have collapsed completely based on how we performed in the game. Now, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Lingers Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and the midfielder

If this was a occasion when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was additionally a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their futures in Amorim's revamped squad.

In his before the game media briefing, the coach said it was possible members of the squad who believe they are at risk of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has managed 82 minutes from his four top-flight cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the number is 138 from seven.

Neither has begun a Premier League match so far and nor were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as United chased a way back into a game they were losing from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the substitutes but at times I have the impression if I'm going to disrupt the flow constantly, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the players in attack."

Mainoo had a agreement in progress to join the Italian club in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a deal. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now open to the idea of a move back to Serie A.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the continental tournament in the middle of December, a time which includes a couple of midweek games which will require a level of squad changes unseen before.

Since the final is on 18 January, the pair are expected to be back well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a delayed outcome than what eager to leave individual would like.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," said the coach, when questioned specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "They know it's temporary.

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