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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the dramatic dying seconds of his team's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match ended with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear following the on-field celebration.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative shot from outside the box, and the defender immediately hammered in the deflection before racing off toward the East Stand to celebrate, with fans congregating around the players.

Stunning Reversal

The victory capped an extraordinary comeback given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 midway through the final 45 minutes. Amid the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. He shared, "There was a supporter shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: '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 athletes but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The result earned a next round fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. He had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's long-range effort from about long distance going in via the crossbar and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that distance," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before shifting to right defensive wing after the team changed shape. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way his former team approached the match.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the basics and basic skills, they can just do it over and over again," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they are adept at control and slow down a game. You can think you're all right and then suddenly they will just fizz a pass through a line without you even seeing. You have to be focused every second of the game. It takes a tough attitude and attention just to remain competitive."

Swansea Move

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and secured his signature to sign him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a popular figure across a couple of years at his former club and has rapidly done the same in Wales. At Orient he joined forces once more with the coach, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a loan at League Two Salford, before he departed Old Trafford.

Growth Journey

"I was likely a slightly green going into professional soccer. I think many athletes would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like play is circulated without much intensity. There are limited tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

He has shown that development for both domestically and internationally, excelling for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including two matches games against the German national team. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his eye for a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

It has been a remarkable path for the youngster from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who used to see his parent, his father, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Red Devils Debut

His only game for United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was sealed owing to the weather of -15C. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was cold out there," he recalls, chuckling. "The days leading up, several youth players and I trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I reached the point where I realized I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I thought I had to take a different path, join a smaller club and play professional soccer. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

Welsh Adaptation

It is mid-afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's dubbed team minibus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, the drivers, which transports players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with a teammate, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's pleasant to socialize with the lads but I'm planning to be the next one out of the minibus and behind the wheel. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

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