When you cannot triumph, don't lose - as the proverb states.
Prior to their visit to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained just 8 points from losing positions under their manager. They had not got any from the previous six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a late goal secured a tie.
When they were behind at the City Ground after letting in two goals in a short span, as Forest overturned a disputed first-half goal, Manchester United were in serious trouble.
The question to the manager after his side recovered to tie could not have been more straightforward.
'If that game occurred last season, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'
The answer was equally emphatic.
"Yes, and by more goals, in my opinion."
It's impossible to determine the reality. What we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at wing-back by scoring a brilliant volleyed strike from just outside the box nine minutes from time to secure a point.
It has been obvious since the start of the campaign that United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.
The determination, the desire, the refusal to give in are unquantifiables.
In this game, Amorim felt his players showed they have improved at that too.
"Previously, if we had this kind of poor five minutes and we conceded two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," stated Amorim. "Today is a different sensation. You can sense we might not triumph in this game but we are determined not to be defeated. And this represents a mindset a big team occasionally must possess."
The manager didn't mention it, but the addition of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo likely contributed.
The attacker is not one to shy away from difficult situations, on the contrary in fact. In the first half, when he was booed by the home fans for what they felt was his tactical play, he reacted - instead of ignoring them - pointing to the crest on his shorts.
Mbeumo is a constant threat, the epitome of a player who will not give an opponent a moment's peace.
The coach was questioned exactly what had led to the mental improvement. Apart from mentioning the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't really give an explanation.
"The confidence, of course, is completely different," he stated. "We came from three good games and we have a different confidence. The players comprehend each other more effectively. We talk more about this."We proved this season we can have bad moments but then, we produce three good games.
"It's essential to be engaged in the match until the final 10 minutes. Previously, we could have collapsed completely based on how we played the game. Today, the feeling was different."
Doubt Remains Regarding Prospects of the striker and the midfielder
While this represented a day when the team displayed their resilience, it was also a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo increasingly uncertain of their roles 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 danger of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the winter transfer window.
One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that category. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his 4 Premier League cameo roles this season. For the young player, the total is over two hours from 7.
Not one has started a Premier League game this season and nor were they asked to come off the bench at the stadium, as United sought a route to recovery into a contest they were losing from the second half.
"We have a lot of quality on the substitutes but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game constantly, I'm going to break the rhythm," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my instinct was not to change anything with the guys in attack."
The midfielder had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the final stages of the summer window but the club would not sanction a transfer. The striker was returning from injury but is currently considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.
The circumstances is complicated by the absence of the winger and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the middle of the winter, a period which includes a few midweek games which will require a level of rotation not previously needed.
As the championship match is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be returned well before the transfer window closes on February 2nd - which may mean a delayed outcome than any wantaway individual would prefer.
"It is the characteristics of the sport," commented the coach, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "The players understand it's just a moment."It's nothing to do with ability - and we have a lot of games."
