Manchester United’s pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White may have received a boost, with former teammate Jack Colback suggesting the midfielder is capable of playing for a top club.
Gibbs-White, currently at Nottingham Forest, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. Colback’s comments add fuel to the speculation surrounding the 26-year-old’s future.
Colback’s Praise for Gibbs-White
Colback was asked on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet, to name the best player he has ever played with, and he chose Gibbs-White. Colback stated that Gibbs-White “could play for a top team.”
Colback added, regarding Gibbs-White, “I think if he adds goals and assists, I know he’s been scoring a bit more recently and that was probably the one criticism of him. But technically and what he can do in training. Just top.”
Relegation a Deciding Factor
Colback believes Gibbs-White’s future at Nottingham Forest hinges on whether they avoid relegation. When questioned about Gibbs-White staying at Forest beyond this season, Colback said, “It depends on Marinakis! But yeah, if they stay up that is a big factor. But if they go down, he’s leaving, of course.”
Colback also admitted, “It’s a hard one because I think he probably should have left already. But for him, he might like the club, like where he lives. It’s not just about moving to a bigger club, but time will tell.”
Marinakis’s Management Style
Colback also shared his experiences with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. Colback admitted he did have a handful of run-ins with Marinakis, saying: “I probably met him two or three times. Yeah [he was terrifying]. My agent warned me.
He recounted an incident where Marinakis appeared on a video call during a meeting, saying, “He was basically like, ‘Come on, start winning games, or there’ll be trouble.’ That type of thing. I’d never seen that before. The manager didn’t even know about it. But for all the negatives, I would say I do think he genuinely cares about the club and that’s where it comes from.
“In terms of what he’s done for Nottingham Forest, it’s amazing. When I
Gibbs-White’s Rise
Gibbs-White arrived at Nottingham Forest in 2022 for a then club-record deal potentially totalling £42.5million. He has since become a talismanic figure and made his England debut in 2024.
Tottenham reportedly failed with a bid for Gibbs-White last summer after a supposed £60m release clause was triggered, prompting fury from owner Evangelos Marinakis. Gibbs-White subsequently penned a three-year extension.
With Manchester United reportedly interested, Gibbs-White’s future remains uncertain, particularly if Nottingham Forest are relegated from the Premier League.