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

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful shot from outside the box, and his teammate promptly hammered in the deflection before racing off toward the home end to celebrate, with supporters mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

This sealed an unbelievable comeback given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 during the latter period. Amid the delirium, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The result booked a next round fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith ran close at the same stage of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had an excellent perspective when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's volley from about way out going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've awarded it to him for taking the effort on from that far out," stated Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right wing-back after the team changed formation. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who paid tribute to the way Orient played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Athletically they are very good but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just perform consistently," he explains. "It appears that they never miss a pass and they know how to dictate and neutralize a game. You can think you're holding your own and then abruptly they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It demands a tough attitude and focus just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and beat off competition to secure him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He established himself as a popular figure across two seasons at Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in his new home. At his previous team he linked up again with the coach, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a loan at lower division the Manchester club, before he departed Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was probably a bit naive going into men's football. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is very different. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without serious challenge. There are limited hard challenges. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adjust fast."

International Recognition

He has shown that maturation for his team and nation, shining for Northern Ireland, who could still reach the international competition next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has featured in the past five games, including home and away games against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his knack for a killer pass.

Early Days

It has been quite the ride for the kid from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his dad, Stuart, also a central player, play for his father's team.

Red Devils Debut

The player's single match for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they played on an artificial pitch and the stadium roof was shut owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "This represented a long trip and it was chilly," he recalls, chuckling. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads worked out jointly, so that aided our adjustment. Just to join the main group and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "It was relatively straightforward, because I reached the point where I understood I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the experience gained but it got to the point where I felt I had to take a different path, drop down the leagues and play first-team games. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

New Environment

This occurs during the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: 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 player transport, a small coach driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include the Portuguese player, the Brazilian, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's pleasant to socialize with the guys but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. Franco is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

When he represented his former club, Galbraith would blend in with followers on London's Central line after commuting at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim