When you cannot triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.
Before their journey to Forest, Manchester United had gained only eight points from deficit situations under their manager. They had not got a single point from the past six matches when they found themselves behind since the trip to Bournemouth last April, when a last-minute goal snatched a tie.
When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after letting in twice in a short span, as Forest reversed a disputed opening period opener, Manchester United were in serious trouble.
The question to the manager after his side fought back to draw could not have been more direct.
'If that game occurred the previous campaign, do you believe you would have lost it?'
The response was equally forceful.
"Yes, and by a larger margin, I believe so."
We can never know the actual outcome. However, we do know that the young player showed why Amorim picks him at defensive wing by scoring a brilliant volleyed strike from just outside the box nine minutes from time to earn a point.
It's been clear since the start of the season that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this term. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been achieving more positive outcomes.
The resolve, the desire, the unwillingness to surrender are unquantifiables.
In this match, the manager believed his squad showed they have improved at that too.
"In the past, if we had such a bad short period and we suffered two goals, we wouldn't bounce back," said the coach. "Now is a different feeling. It's evident we could not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And this represents a mindset a big team sometimes must possess."
The manager didn't say it, but the signing of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo probably made a difference.
Cunha is not the type to retreat from challenging circumstances, actually the opposite in fact. In the opening period, when he was jeered by the local supporters for what they believed was his gamesmanship, he responded - rather than ignore it - gesturing toward the crest on his shorts.
Mbeumo is a hustle-bustle menace, the epitome of a footballer who will not give an rival any rest.
The coach was questioned exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from saying the confidence gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an explanation.
"The confidence, naturally, is totally changed," he stated. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different assurance. We understand one another more effectively. We talk more about these aspects."We proved this season we can experience difficult periods but suddenly, we produce three good games.
"It's essential to be engaged in the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Today, the feeling was different."
If this was a day when the team showed their fighting spirit, it was also a moment that likely created Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo even more uncertain of their futures in the manager's revamped squad.
In his before the game media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely players who believe they are at risk of not making the international tournament will request transfers in the winter signing period.
One can reasonably conclude Zirkzee and Mainoo fit into that category. The forward has accumulated less than two full games from his four Premier League cameo roles this season. For Mainoo, the number is over two hours from 7.
Neither has begun a league match this season and neither were they called upon to be substituted on at the stadium, as the team chased a route to recovery into a game they were trailing in from the second half.
"Our squad includes a great deal of talent on the bench but sometimes I have the impression if I'm going to stop the game all the time, I'm going to interrupt something," said Amorim. "We were improving during the second half, so my feeling was to avoid altering anything with the players in front."
The midfielder had a deal in progress to join Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but United would not approve a deal. The striker was coming back from injury but is now considering the possibility of a move back to Serie A.
The situation is made more complex by the loss of the winger and Amad to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of the winter, a period which features a few midweek games which will require a level of squad changes not previously needed.
Since the final is on January 18th, the pair are expected to be returned well before the transfer window ends on February 2nd - which could result in a later outcome than what wantaway player would like.
"It is the characteristics of the sport," said Amorim, when asked specifically about Zirkzee and the midfielder. "They know it's only a phase."It's nothing to do with quality - and we have a many fixtures."
A certified yoga instructor and wellness coach passionate about holistic health and mindfulness.
News