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

When you cannot triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their journey to Forest, Manchester United had secured only eight points from deficit situations with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure any from the past six matches when they trailed since the match to Bournemouth last spring, when a last-minute effort snatched a tie.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding twice in a short span, as Nottingham Forest overturned a contentious opening period opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

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

'If that game occurred the previous campaign, do you feel it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was just as emphatic.

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

It's impossible to determine the actual outcome. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim selects him at defensive wing by scoring a brilliant first-time volley from near the edge of the penalty area late in the game to secure a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that Manchester United are playing better this term. Since the start of October, they have additionally been getting better results.

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

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

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we conceded a couple of goals, we don't recover," said Amorim. "Now is a different feeling. You can sense we might not win the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."

The manager didn't mention it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and the winger must have helped.

Cunha is not the type to retreat from difficult situations, on the contrary indeed. In the first half, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the badge on his kit.

The forward is a energetic nuisance, the perfect example of a player who will not give an rival a moment's peace.

Amorim was asked exactly what had caused the psychological growth. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"The confidence, of course, is totally different," he stated. "Following three positive performances and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend one another more effectively. We talk increased about this.

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

"It's essential to be inside the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have lost everything the way we played the game. Now, the feeling was different."

Doubt Remains Over Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

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

In his before the game media briefing, the coach stated it was possible players who believe they are at danger of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the January signing period.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and the midfielder fall into that category. Zirkzee has managed less than two full games from his 4 Premier League substitute appearances in the current campaign. For the young player, the number is 138 from 7.

Neither has begun a league game this season and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as United chased a way back into a contest they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the flow all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," said the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the players in front."

Mainoo had a deal in place to move to Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from injury but is now open to the idea of a return to Serie A.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which features a couple of midweek games which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the final is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be returned well before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which may mean a later resolution than any wantaway individual would like.

"This is about the characteristics of the game," commented Amorim, when asked directly about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's temporary.

"It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a many games."