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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he recalls the dramatic closing stages of his team's stunning fightback victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a supporter's spectacles amid the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful shot from 25 yards, and his teammate promptly slammed home the loose ball before charging toward the home end to revel in the moment, with fans mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

The victory sealed an incredible comeback given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. In the delirium, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and we were wondering: '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 people, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win booked a upcoming match at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for having a go from that distance," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right wing-back after Orient changed formation. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the winger was among the City players who complimented the way his former team attacked the game.

Guardiola's System

"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the simple things and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," Galbraith says. "It feels like they always find their target and they understand how to dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're all right and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even seeing. You have to be focused every second of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to stay in the game."

Welsh Transition

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has quickly replicated that in Wales. At the London club he reunited with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford City, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a slightly green going into professional soccer. I think numerous professionals would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without serious challenge. You see few hard challenges. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that growth for club and country, excelling for the Green and White Army, who remain in contention for the international competition next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the past five games, including two matches encounters against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's previous international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he manipulates the ball and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Starting Out

It has been a remarkable path for the player from the local area in his hometown, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who used to see his parent, the elder Galbraith, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Red Devils Debut

The player's only game for Manchester United came in Central Asia in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they featured on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was closed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "That proved to be a lengthy journey and it was cold out there," he comments, grinning. "The preceding week, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How hard was it to leave United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "This turned out fairly simple, because I reached the point where I understood I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I thought I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

Welsh Adaptation

It is the middle of the day at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has somewhere to be at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to his new neighborhood, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a small coach driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with a teammate, the Brazilian, an Ivorian player – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to socialize with the guys but I'm hoping to be the next one to stop using the bus and driving. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

While playing for Orient, Galbraith would blend in with followers on public transport after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim