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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the thrilling closing stages of his team's remarkable turnaround win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter ended with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles after the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative shot from distance, and Cameron Burgess promptly slammed home the rebound before charging toward the crowd to mark the goal, with supporters congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory sealed an extraordinary comeback given the team had trailed 2-0 midway through the second half. Amid the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory booked a upcoming fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had a prime vantage point when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've given it to him for having a go from that distance," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right flank after Orient changed formation. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way his former team approached the match.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they are adept at manage and slow down a game. You can believe you're all right and then suddenly they will just fizz a pass past your midfield without you even spotting it. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to stay in the game."

Welsh Transition

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a popular figure across a couple of years at Leyton Orient and has rapidly achieved similar status in Wales. At Orient he linked up again with Richie Wellens, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a bit naive going into men's football. I think many athletes would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without serious challenge. You see few physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that growth for club and country, excelling for his national side, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including two matches encounters against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

It has been a remarkable path for the kid from the local area in his hometown, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his parent, his father, also a central player, play for a local club.

Red Devils Debut

The player's sole appearance for United came in Central Asia in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an plastic turf and the arena covering was closed owing to conditions of freezing cold. "That proved to be a long trip and it was cold out there," he comments, smiling. "The days leading up, several youth players and I trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I understood I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the time I spent there but it became apparent where I believed I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play first-team games. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

New Environment

This occurs during the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the mid-twenties player was a constant rider in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a small coach driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, another squad member, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's enjoyable to spend time with the guys but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual to drive independently and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."

Public Engagement

During his time at his former club, Galbraith would mix with followers on London's Central line after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim