Morgan Gibbs-White: the definitive goal ranking
Bramall Lane's favourite temporary son scored his share of stunners this season. To suspend his departure for just a little longer, here's our irrefutable ranking of MGW's Sheffield United goals.
Words: David Taylor
A loan signing is an inherently transient phenomenon. The opportunity to bring in a player to complement a squad without the risk of a permanent commitment is useful and sometimes integral to a successful season. If the loan is a flop, there’s usually not much harm done besides a waste of a wage and a tinge of disappointment; if the loan turns out to be a success, then the returns can be tenfold (a move known as ‘The Dean Henderson’). However, with any loan player who endears himself to a fanbase, a bittersweet sensation lingers in the natural air of happiness and satisfaction.
This is no more strongly felt than with Morgan Gibbs-White. The 22-year-old Wolves man has gone about his work at United with boundless enthusiasm, guile, skill and vigour, attributes that arguably stand as the four pillars of the Sheffield United ‘reight good player’ school of football. He and his partner Britney De Villiers have embraced the Blades like few loan signings before, immediately understanding the club’s fabric.
Throughout a challenging season, where a slow start, injuries and the usual wrath of the footballing gods made United at points revert to the wobbly club we all know and love, Gibbs-White provided an almost-constant positive, forming strong partnerships with Billy Sharp and, most notably, Iliman Ndiaye. Indeed, it could be said that Ndiaye’s recent call-up to the Senegal senior team was hastened by his fruitful connection with Gibbs-White.
Unfortunately, missing out on promotion means that we’ve probably seen the last of Gibbs-White in United colours (unless rumours of a move to Southampton are true). If that is the case, the forward’s contribution to United should not be underestimated, regardless of the brevity of his tenure. Without his 12 goals and 10 assists, we might be looking at a very different end-of-season table. It doesn’t bear thinking about…
Some of those goals were also, coincidentally, utter peaches. We’ll all have a favourite, but we thought we’d go one better and list each of Gibbs-White’s United goals in order of quality and importance, to both provide a permanent record of each and to annoy people who disagree with us. It’s all about opinions, right?
Without further ado, here is our irrefutable ranking of Gibbs-White’s goals in the famous red and white.
Sheffield United 2-2 Preston North End 14/09/21
It says a lot about Gibbs-White that even his less-impressive goals still communicate his talents. Perfect positioning right at the start of United’s home game versus Preston leaves Gibbs-White with enough time to stretch out and volley the ball into the ground and past the keeper. Strong technique, but there’s more to come from the man.
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Sheffield United 02/11/21
One of Gibbs-White’s greatest attributes is his ability to make everything look simple. Some nice play down the wing finds Gibbs-White in the middle, who sets off Sharp running at the Forest defence. An extended one-two puts the ball on a six-yard plate for the sprinting Gibbs-White to stroke home.
AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Sheffield United 02/10/21
A good example of Gibbs-White’s partnership with Billy Sharp, who has added to his goalscoring prowess this year with some of the most impressive build-up play and creativity of his career. A targeted punt from less-successful loan signing (ahem) Robin Olsen bounces over the Bournemouth defenders and lands with Sharp; the captain controls the ball admirably and manages a no-look cross to the oncoming Gibbs-White, who finishes with an inch-perfect half volley.
Sheffield United 4-0 Swansea City 19/02/22
Explosive volleys and bursting runs are exciting and usually grab the headlines, but we love goals that take real craft. Gibbs-White’s second against Swansea City once again owed much to Sharp’s strength and creative talents – imagine what could’ve been if Sharp had managed to dodge injury. Gibbs-White’s finish looks innocuous at first, but closer inspection reveals a curved, placed shot dug out from behind a wall of defenders. United moved into the Play-Offs with this win, and barely looked back.
Bristol City 1-1 Sheffield United 18/04/22
Some characteristic athleticism from the forward here, as the ball bounces tantalisingly in the air before Gibbs-White scissor-kicks it home. The best players make football seem like it’s being played in slow motion: Gibbs-White has that spark, resulting in luxury finishes like this one against Bristol City. As an aside, we also appreciate Chris Basham in this clip, deciding to role play as a number nine. Go on, Bash.
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Sheffield United 17/05/22
A huge goal in the Play-Off semi final second leg. United rushed out of the traps at the start of the second half, and a clever piece of play from Berge set up Gibbs-White for a composed finish. His celebratory tribute to David McGoldrick brings an appreciative tear to the eye.
Sheffield United 4-0 Swansea City 19/02/22
Gibbs-White’s first goal of a brace against former club Swansea City is the perfect manifestation of Ollie Norwood’s ping and the forward’s impressive close control. Gibbs-White’s first touch grows more impressive on second, third and fourth viewings.
Sheffield United 4-0 Fulham 07/05/22
Another Norwood x Gibbs-White peach. A high-class ball in from the midfielder finds the forward’s head, with still plenty to do. No fuss for Gibbs-White – a neck crane and a strong connection is enough to bounce the ball past Fulham’s despairing keeper and send United on their way to one of the most impressive results of the ‘21/’22 season.
Sheffield United 2-0 Barnsley 19/03/22
A goal is always better when the move is started and finished by the same player. A burst of pace from Gibbs-White gives him the space to find Oli McBurnie, who produces one of the assists of the season with a magic scoop through the Barnsley defence. A great first touch to round the ‘keeper and a composed finish put this goal among his best.
Sheffield United 6-2 Peterborough United 11/09/21
It’s not just the finish here that we’re impressed by, although the confidence to take on the shot from such a narrow angle and resulting accuracy would put this goal pretty high up alone. The zippy play in the lead-up to the goal, while not pristine, is still a reminder that United can play some particularly dynamic stuff, that is more than a match for anyone in the league. Team play + Fleck bombing through with his head + brilliant finish = great goal.
Cardiff City 2-3 Sheffield United 04/12/21
“Sh*t! Did you see that?! He must have a foot like a traction engine!”
Sheffield United 4-1 Middlesbrough 08/03/22
There was only really going to be one winner. “Flash of genius” is the perfect way to describe Gibbs-White’s reactive, inspired finish that would look at home on the stage of the Royal Ballet. Imagine how many synapses have to be firing on all cylinders, how much training, how much sheer athletic coordination it takes to come up with a finish like that. It’s a Premier League finish. What a guy. Thanks for all your efforts, Morgan: it’s been a pleasure to watch you in the shirt.
"Flash of Genius" indeed.
Thanks for putting all this together and I can't say I disagree in any way with your order. That back heel(s) against Middlesbrough will live in the memory for a long time.
Despite his youth, as well as skill and athleticism, MG-W definitely has a "footballer's brain". A typical example is the goal against Barnsley. After he receives the ball from McBurnie, the goalkeeper has come out with a leg extended, and almost every other player would lose the ball at that stage, but he has the wit to wait just a second to gather himself to go around the goalkeeper and then score.
He'll be sorely missed by the Blades (players and supporters) but I wish him every success wherever he plays. Thanks again for the wonderful reminder of his talent.