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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the dramatic final moments of his team's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles after the pitch-side pile-on.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative effort from distance, and his teammate promptly slammed home the loose ball before sprinting toward the crowd to revel in the moment, with the crowd mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The victory sealed an unbelievable comeback given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 deep into the latter period. Amid the delirium, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a fan shouting out and Josh Key and I were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're humans, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The result booked a upcoming match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's first-time shot from about way out going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. Many argued that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've awarded it to him for having a go from that far out," stated Galbraith, who began the game centrally before switching to right defensive wing after the team changed formation. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way Orient attacked the game.

Opponent's Class

"Athletically they are exceptional but even the basics and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It seems as if they always find their target and they are adept at manage and take the sting out of a game. You can feel you're doing well and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even seeing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It requires a tough attitude and attention just to stay in the game."

Welsh Transition

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and beat off competition to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He established himself as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Leyton Orient and has swiftly replicated that in south Wales. At Orient he linked up again with Richie Wellens, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in professional games on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a loan at League Two Salford, before he moved on from Old Trafford.

Development Path

"I was perhaps a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think numerous professionals would say development squad matches is very different. Sometimes it appears the ball is moved without real physicality. There's not many hard challenges. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

His progress reflects that growth for both domestically and internationally, shining for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including both legs games against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Starting Out

This marks an incredible journey for the player from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a engine room operator, play for his father's team.

Red Devils Debut

The player's only game for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to conditions of freezing cold. "This represented a extended travel and it was chilly," he recalls, grinning. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged 16? "It was relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I understood I wasn't going to make it at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I thought 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 mid-afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at the early evening: a learner's exam, another step towards getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, the drivers, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, Ronald, an Ivorian player – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to spend time with the teammates but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual to stop using the bus and driving. The Portuguese player is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

During his time at his former club, Galbraith would mix with fans on public transport after beginning his trip at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim