{'A Different Vibe' - Did Man Utd Exhibited a Attitude Change?

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

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had earned only 8 points from losing positions under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the past six games when they found themselves behind since the trip to AFC Bournemouth last April, when a late goal snatched a draw.

When they were behind at the stadium after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Nottingham Forest reversed a controversial opening period goal, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The question to Amorim after his side fought back to tie could not have been any clearer.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The answer was just as decisive.

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

We can never know the reality. However, we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach selects him at wing-back by scoring 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 season. Since the start of October, they have also been getting better results.

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

In this match, Amorim felt his players demonstrated they have got better at that too.

"In the past, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated the coach. "Now is a different sensation. You can sense we might not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a mindset a big team occasionally must possess."

The manager didn't mention 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, on the contrary in fact. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they felt was his gamesmanship, he responded - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his kit.

The forward is a constant threat, the perfect example of a footballer who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.

The coach was questioned exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from saying the self-belief generated from the prior three successive wins, he didn't really give an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is completely different," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a newfound assurance. We understand each other more effectively. We talk increased about these aspects.

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

"It's essential to remain inside the game until the last moments. Previously, we could have collapsed completely the way we performed in the game. Today, the feeling was different."

Doubt Remains Regarding Futures of Zirkzee and Mainoo

While this represented a day when United showed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and the young midfielder increasingly unsure of their futures in Amorim's new-look squad.

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

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

Not one has started a league game so far and neither were they asked to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team sought a route to recovery into a game they were trailing in from the second half.

"We have a great deal of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt the rhythm," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was not to change anything with the players in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the transfer period but the club would not approve a transfer. Zirkzee was coming back from injury but is now considering the idea of a move back to Italy.

The situation is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a period which features a few weekday matches which will require a level of rotation unseen before.

As the final is on 18 January, the duo should be back well before the signing period closes on 2 February - which may mean a later resolution than what eager to leave individual would like.

"It is the characteristics of the sport," commented the coach, when questioned directly about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's just a moment.

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