Manchester United will no doubt be taking Matheus Cunha’s comments into account when deciding whether or not to step up their interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White is being linked with a move to Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
Matheus Cunha has already offered his seal of approval for Morgan Gibbs-White amid growing interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils have placed the Nottingham Forest playmaker high on their transfer shortlist as they prepare for what could be a major midfield overhaul this summer.
Gibbs-White, who came close to joining Tottenham last year before being persuaded to stay by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, is currently valued at around £60million. However, that figure could drop considerably if Forest – sitting just two points above the drop zone – are relegated at the end of the season.
A key part of Gibbs-White’s appeal is his versatility. The 26-year-old is capable of operating as a No. 8, a No. 10, or on either flank, offering prospective suitors valuable tactical flexibility across multiple systems.
United’s interest, however, isn’t driven solely by positional versatility or the prospect of a reduced fee, with strong backing from within also likely playing a part. Cunha, who briefly played alongside Gibbs-White at Wolves, has described him as a “great player,” hinting that the pair could form an effective partnership at Old Trafford.
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After scoring in Wolves’ 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest back in April 2024, Cunha mimicked Gibbs-White’s trademark goal celebration. The gesture was initially interpreted as a dig at his former team-mate, but Cunha later clarified that it was simply light-hearted banter between friends rather than an attempt to mock him.
“I didn’t know I would be doing that celebration after scoring such an amazing goal… it was a little bit of a joke with Morgan Gibbs-White. He’s a great player,” Cunha, who joined United from Wolves for £62.5m last summer, said after the game.
“I know things have been said before the game about when we played each other in the Carabao Cup last year, so after he scored, I scored and I remembered this celebration, but there was nothing else more than this. It was just a little joke between us.”
Matheus Cunha has described Morgan Gibbs-White as a “great player”(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images)
Later, Gibbs-White moved to dispel any lingering speculation by confirming there was no bad blood between the two, reinforcing that the exchange was nothing more than friendly banter. “Cunha is a friend of mine. He’s a good guy, a really good guy. Football is entertainment, and we showed that today.”
Gibbs-White has enjoyed a productive campaign at the City Ground so far, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 37 games – a decent return considering the club’s recent struggles. United aren’t the only ones tracking the England international, with the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham also interested.
Having prioritised attacking reinforcements last summer and defensive additions in 2024, United are now preparing for a significant midfield reshuffle. Gibbs-White’s Nottingham Forest team-mate Elliot Anderson is understood to be their leading midfield target, while Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are also high on their wish list.
Past comments from the pair suggest that Cunha and Gibbs-White might link up well at Man Utd(Image: Getty Images)
Landing any of those names, however, will be far from straightforward. Each could command a fee in the region of – or even exceeding – £100m. At the same time, United are working to streamline their wage bill, with their three marquee signings of 2025 – Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo – all agreeing to deals worth around £150,000 per week.
Whether that careful balancing act leaves room for a move for Gibbs-White may ultimately define the direction – and ambition – of United’s new-look midfield.
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