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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the dramatic closing stages of his team's remarkable turnaround victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match wrapped up with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses following the on-field celebration.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range shot from distance, and Cameron Burgess quickly slammed home the loose ball before racing off toward the crowd to revel in the moment, with fans mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

The victory sealed an unbelievable comeback given the team had trailed 2-0 midway through the latter period. During the delirium, there was some unintended consequences. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator sort of calling out and Josh Key and I were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory earned a fourth-round fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had an excellent perspective when the underdogs took the lead in stunning style, with the attacker's volley from about way out going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that distance," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before switching to right flank after they changed shape. That meant competing with the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way Orient played positively.

City's Quality

"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they are adept at dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can believe you're doing well and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball through a line without you even noticing. You have to be alert every second of the game. It demands a strong mentality and attention just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and secured his signature to sign him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He became a favorite as a fans' favourite across multiple campaigns at Orient and has rapidly achieved similar status in Wales. At the London club he linked up again with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford, before he permanently left Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a slightly green going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is completely distinct. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without much intensity. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that maturation for his team and nation, shining for his national side, who could still reach the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including both legs games against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's former international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he handles the football and his eye for a killer pass.

Early Days

This marks quite the ride for the kid from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who used to see his dad, the elder Galbraith, also a central player, play for his father's team.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's sole appearance for the Red Devils came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they competed on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was closed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "That proved to be a long trip and it was chilly," he says, smiling. "The days leading up, several youth players and I trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was amazing."

Moving On

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged a teenager? "It was quite easy, because I reached the point where I understood I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it became apparent where I felt I required a fresh start, drop down the leagues and play first-team games. Now I'm steadily climbing the ladder."

Welsh Adaptation

It is the early part of the afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has somewhere to be at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a small coach driven by team personnel, the transport team, which transports players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself a teammate, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to spend time with the guys but I'm hoping to be the following person out of the minibus and behind the wheel. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on the Tube after beginning his trip at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim