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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the nail-biting dying seconds of Swansea's stunning fightback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a fan's glasses amid the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a speculative strike from 25 yards, and the defender promptly converted the loose ball before racing off toward the home end to mark the goal, with fans congregating around the players.

Remarkable Recovery

This completed an extraordinary recovery given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 during the latter period. During the euphoria, there was some unintended consequences. The midfielder recalled, "There was a fan 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 humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The result booked a fourth-round match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's long-range effort from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that distance," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before switching to right wing-back after Orient changed shape. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who paid tribute to the way his former team attacked the game.

City's Quality

"Physically they are outstanding but even the basics and routine actions, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they understand how to manage and slow down a game. You can think you're doing well and then suddenly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It demands a tough attitude and focus just to stay in the game."

Welsh Transition

The Welsh side 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 popular figure across a couple of years at Orient and has swiftly done the same in Wales. At the London club he linked up again with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in first-team action on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a slightly green going into professional soccer. I think many athletes would say youth team games is completely distinct. Sometimes it seems possession is exchanged without serious challenge. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has shown that growth for his team and nation, performing well for his national side, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the last several matches, including two matches games against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, gave him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a game-changing assist.

Early Days

This marks a remarkable path for the youngster from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside the capital, who used to see his dad, his father, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's only game for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they played on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to the weather of -15C. "It was a long trip and it was freezing," he says, grinning. "The days leading up, the academy prospects trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and get a couple of minutes at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged his mid-teens? "The decision proved fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I understood I wouldn't break through at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it got to the point where I thought I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play first-team games. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."

Welsh Adaptation

It is the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, the Brazilian, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to interact with the teammates but I'm hoping to be the subsequent individual out of the minibus and driving. His teammate is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

While playing for his former club, Galbraith would blend in with followers on London's Central line after commuting at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim