Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 18 May 2026 9:07, UK

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Morgan Gibbs-White has been in the form of his career for Nottingham Forest this year as he attempts to catch Thomas Tuchel’s eye.

The England manager is set to announce his squad to go to this summer’s World Cup on Friday, with the 26-year-old hoping to receive the call.

Gibbs-White scored as Nottingham Forest lost at Manchester United on Sunday, with Bryan Mbeumo’s goal eventually proving the winner after Luke Shaw, Morato and Matheus Cunha had scored.

Vitor Pereira’s side have already confirmed their safety in the Premier League this season, but the match had plenty riding on it for the midfielder.

On paper, Nottingham Forest’s star man has certainly done enough, but he will face a nervous wait to find out if his efforts have been rewarded.

Morgan Gibbs-White’s stats in final push vs Manchester United

Phil Foden has been tipped to make the England squad over Gibbs-White in recent days, despite the chasm in form this season.

The Manchester City midfielder is rarely included in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up, and is among several players hoping to make the squad on name alone.

Cole Palmer is another of them, with the Chelsea man scoring just once across all competitions since February.

The likes of Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rodgers have continued to perform and will, in all likelihood, be included in Tuchel’s squad.

And there should, absolutely, be space for Gibbs-White, too. The Nottingham Forest captain has enjoyed an extraordinary 2026, scoring 13 goals and providing four assists since the turn of the year.

He put in his final effort to impress against Man United at Old Trafford, getting a goal back for his team with a delightful first-time finish.

Gibbs-White also created a chance and took five shots, completing three dribbles in a game that he was constantly involved in.

The 26-year-old was missing against Aston Villa and Newcastle United after suffering a facial injury, but there was no holding back on Sunday.

The England international won a free kick and half of his duels, also registering four recoveries, two interceptions and a block.

Thomas Tuchel would be mad not to take Gibbs-White

With just six England caps to his name, Gibbs-White was always facing an uphill battle to make Tuchel’s squad.

The midfielder was not even included for March’s friendlies, which were supposedly used to judge players the German was not sure about.

But he has always claimed that he will pick his squads on merit, and there no more deserving players than Gibbs-White.

Tuchel will have a genuine game-changer on his hands if he selects the 26-year-old, and he would be mad to leave him at home.