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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the nail-biting dying seconds of his team's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter ended with Galbraith picking up a fan's glasses following the on-field celebration.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range effort from 25 yards, and his teammate immediately hammered in the rebound before racing off toward the home end to mark the goal, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Stunning Reversal

This capped an incredible recovery given the team had found themselves down 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. Amid the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. He shared, "There was a supporter shouting out and we were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The result booked a upcoming fixture at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith came close against at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. He had a prime vantage point when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's volley from about long distance going in via the crossbar and the Stefan Ortega. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for having a go from that far out," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right wing-back after they changed formation. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the winger was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way his former team played positively.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are exceptional but even the simple things and simple things, they can just perform consistently," he explains. "It appears that they never miss a pass and they are adept at dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're all right and then abruptly they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It demands a resilient mindset and attention just to stay in the game."

Swansea Move

Swansea sought to acquire Galbraith in January and beat off competition to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a fans' favourite across two seasons at Orient and has rapidly replicated that in Wales. At Orient he reunited with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a loan at League Two Salford City, before he departed Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a slightly green going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without serious challenge. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

Country Call-ups

His progress reflects that development for his team and nation, shining for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the recent fixtures, including home and away encounters against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a decisive through ball.

Early Days

This marks an incredible journey for the player from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his father, the elder Galbraith, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Red Devils Debut

Galbraith's sole appearance for the Red Devils came in Central Asia in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they played on an artificial pitch and the arena covering was sealed owing to the weather of -15C. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was freezing," he says, smiling. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged 16? "The decision proved fairly simple, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I believed I had to take a different path, drop down the leagues and play first-team games. Now I'm slowly progressing again."

Life in Swansea

This occurs during the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a road rules assessment, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called player transport, a small coach driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which transports players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"It's myself the Portuguese player, the Brazilian, the midfielder – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to spend time with the guys but I'm hoping to be the next one to drive independently and behind the wheel. Franco likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."

Public Engagement

During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside supporters on the Tube after starting his journey at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim