{'A Different Sensation' - Have Manchester United Shown a Mentality Transformation?

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

Before their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained merely 8 points from losing positions with Ruben Amorim. They had failed to secure a single point from the past six games when they trailed since the match to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Forest reversed a controversial opening period goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.

The question to Amorim after his side recovered to draw could not have been any clearer.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you feel you would have lost it?'

The answer was equally emphatic.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, that is my feeling."

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why Amorim selects him at wing-back by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a draw.

It has been obvious since the start of the campaign that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this match, Amorim believed his players showed they have improved at that as well.

"In the past, if we had such a poor short period and we conceded two goals, we don't recover," stated Amorim. "Now is a distinct feeling. You can sense we could not triumph in the match but we are determined not to be defeated. And that is a mindset a big team occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't say it, but the addition of the Brazilian forward and the winger must have helped.

The attacker is not one to shy away from challenging circumstances, quite the reverse in fact. In the first half, when he was jeered by the home fans for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he reacted - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

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

The coach was asked exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from saying the self-belief gained from the prior three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely changed," he said. "Following three positive performances and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other better. We talk more about this.

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

"It's essential to be inside the game until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the encounter. Today, the feeling was not that one."

Doubt Lingers Regarding Prospects of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a occasion when the team displayed their resilience, it was also a moment that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their futures in the manager's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, the coach stated it was likely players who believe they are at risk of missing the international tournament will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fall into that category. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his four top-flight substitute appearances this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.

Neither has begun a league game so far and neither were they called upon to come off the bench at the City Ground, as the team chased a route to recovery into a contest they were trailing in from the second half.

"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to disrupt the game constantly, I'm going to break something," explained the manager. "Our performance was getting better during the later stages, so my feeling was not to change the setup with the guys in attack."

Mainoo had a deal in progress to move to the Italian club in the final stages of the summer window but United would not approve a transfer. The striker was returning from a fitness issue but is currently considering the possibility of a return to Italy.

The circumstances is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a time which includes a few midweek games which will demand a degree of squad changes not previously needed.

Since the championship match is on January 18th, the duo should be returned well before the signing period closes on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed resolution than any eager to leave individual would like.

"It is the demands of the game," commented the coach, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's temporary.

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